Method and Apparatus for Establishment of Asynchronous Transfer Mode Based Bearer Connection between a Network Controller and Core Network

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments are implemented in a communication system that includes a first communication system comprised of a licensed wireless radio access network and a core network, and a second communication system comprising a plurality of user hosted access points and a network controller. In some embodiments, each access point operates using short range licensed wireless frequencies to establish a service region. In some embodiments, the network controller communicatively couples the core network to the plurality of access points. The method establishes, at a network controller, a bearer connection between an access point and the core network indicating an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) based bearer connection. The method also establishes an internet protocol (IP) based bearer connection. The method also establishes a user plane between the access point and the core network and routes user plane data to the core network through the ATM based bearer connection.

CLAIM OF BENEFIT TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application61/046,401, entitled “Mechanisms to Relay or Transfer RANAP Messagesbetween 3 G Home Node-B and the Core Network via the Home Node-BGateway”, filed Apr. 18, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application 61/055,961,entitled “Mechanisms to Transport RANAP Messages between 3 G Home Node-Band the Core Network via the Home Node-B Gateway”, filed May 23, 2008;U.S. Provisional Application 61/058,912, entitled “Transport of RANAPMessages over the Iuh Interface”, filed Jun. 4, 2008; U.S. ProvisionalApplication 61/080,227, entitled “HNB System Architecture”, filed Jul.11, 2008; and U.S. Provisional Application 61/101,148, entitled,“Support for Closer Subscriber Group (CSG) in Femtocell System”, filedSep. 29, 2008. The contents of Provisional Applications 61/046,401,61/055,961, 61/058,912, 61/080,227, and 61/101,148 are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to telecommunication. More particularly, thisinvention relates to a Home Node-B system architecture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Licensed wireless systems provide mobile wireless communications toindividuals using wireless transceivers. Licensed wireless systems referto public cellular telephone systems and/or Personal CommunicationServices (PCS) telephone systems. Wireless transceivers, also referredto as user equipment (UE), include cellular telephones, PCS telephones,wireless-enabled personal digital assistants, wireless modems, and thelike.

Licensed wireless systems utilize wireless signal frequencies that arelicensed from governments. Large fees are paid for access to thesefrequencies. Expensive base station (BS) equipment is used to supportcommunications on licensed frequencies. Base stations are typicallyinstalled approximately a mile apart from one another (e.g., cellulartowers in a cellular network). In a Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem (UMTS), these base stations are system provider controlled andinclude Node-Bs which are high power and long range radio frequencytransmitters and receivers used to directly connect with the userequipment. The wireless transport mechanisms and frequencies employed bytypical licensed wireless systems limit both data transfer rates andrange.

Licensed wireless systems continually upgrade their networks andequipment in an effort to deliver greater data transfer rates and range.However, with each upgrade iteration (e.g., 3 G to 4 G), the licensedwireless system providers incur substantial costs from licensingadditional bandwidth spectrum to upgrading the existing radio networkequipment or core network equipment. To offset these costs, the licensedwireless system providers pass down the costs to the user through thelicensed wireless service fees. Users also incur equipment costs witheach iterative upgrade of the licensed wireless network as new userequipment is needed to take advantage of the new services or improvedservices of the upgraded network.

Landline (wired) connections are extensively deployed and generallyperform at a lower cost with higher quality voice and higher speed dataservices than the licensed wireless systems. The problem with landlineconnections is that they constrain the mobility of a user.Traditionally, a physical connection to the landline was required.

Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) emerged as one solution to lower costsassociated with the licensed wireless systems while maintaining userwireless mobility and taking advantage of the higher quality voice andhigher speed data services of the landline connections. UMA allowedusers the ability to seamlessly and wirelessly roam in and out oflicensed wireless systems and unlicensed wireless systems where theunlicensed wireless systems facilitate mobile access to thelandline-based networks. Such unlicensed wireless systems supportwireless communication based on the IEEE 802.11a, b or g standards(WiFi), or the Bluetooth® standard. The mobility range associated withsuch unlicensed wireless systems is typically on the order of 100 metersor less. A typical unlicensed wireless communication system includes abase station comprising a wireless access point (AP) with a physicalconnection (e.g., coaxial, twisted pair, or optical cable) to alandline-based network. The AP has a RF transceiver to facilitatecommunication with a wireless handset that is operative within a modestdistance of the AP, wherein the data transport rates supported by theWiFi and Bluetooth® standards are much higher than those supported bythe aforementioned licensed wireless systems.

UMA allowed users to purchase ordinary off-the-shelf access points inorder to deploy a UMA service region that allowed for access to UMAservice. In this manner, UMA was able to provide higher quality servicesat a lower cost than the licensed wireless systems. However, other UMAassociated costs remained an obstacle to the large scale adoption ofUMA.

With the emergence of UMA and licensed devices equipped with unlicensedradios that bypass the mobile operators' network/service, mobileoperators sought to provide an equivalent solution using their licensedspectrum. Home Node Bs (HNBs) are low cost versions of the expensiveBase Stations that comprise the mobile network that still use theoperator's licensed spectrum for communication with licensed devices.The HNBs employ similar techniques as unlicensed access points such asthe support of lower transmission power and range, integrated design,and use of regular landlines to communicate with the mobile operators'network to be cost and performance competitive with UMA. The use ofregular landlines required the HNBs to adopt proprietary messaging andsignaling standards that were different than those used by the licensedwireless systems for the expensive Base Stations.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to develop a simplifiedintegrated system that leverages the mobility provided by licensedwireless systems while maintaining the quality of service and datatransfer rates of landline connections. Such a simplified integratedsystem needs to reduce adoption costs for both the individual user andthe system provider that deploys such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments provide methods and systems for integrating a firstcommunication system with a core network of a second communicationsystem that has a licensed wireless radio access network. In someembodiments, the first communication system includes one or more userhosted access points that operate using short range licensed wirelessfrequencies in order to establish service regions of the firstcommunication system and a network controller for communicativelycoupling the service regions associated with the access points to thecore network.

The first communication system of some embodiments includes a HomeNode-B (HNB) Access Network (HNB-AN) where the access points are HomeNode-Bs and the network controller is a HNB Gateway (HNB-GW). Thelicensed wireless radio access network of the second communicationsystem of some embodiments includes a Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network(UTRAN) and the core network of the second communication system includesa core network of the UMTS.

The network controller of some embodiments seamlessly integrates each ofthe short range licensed wireless service regions with the core network.In some such embodiments, the network controller seamlessly integrateswith the core network by using existing Iu interfaces of the corenetwork to communicatively couple each of the service regions to thecore network. Accordingly, the network controller of some embodimentsuses standardized messaging and protocols to communicate with the corenetwork while utilizing HNB-AN messaging and protocols to communicatewith each of the service regions. In this manner, the network controllerof some embodiments reduces deployment costs of the HNB-AN within theUMTS core network. Specifically, deployment of the network controller ofsome embodiments requires no change to the UMTS core network while stillproviding HNB wireless service that combines the mobility of licensedwireless networks with the quality and speed of landline/broadbandservices. In some embodiments, the network controllers take on some ofthe functionality of a traditional Radio Network Controller (RNC).

Additionally, the access points of some embodiments seamlessly integratewith existing user equipment (UE) of the licensed wireless radio accessnetworks of the second communication system. In this manner, the accesspoints reduce deployment costs of the HNB-AN, as users are able toutilize existing UE in order to wirelessly communicate through eitherthe first communication system or the second communication system wherethe first communication system combines the wireless mobility affordedby the licensed wireless radio access network of the secondcommunication system with the speed and quality of service afforded bylandline/broadband services. In some embodiments, the access points arefunctionally equivalent to a Node-B of the UTRAN while having theflexibility and lower deployment costs associated with an ad-hoc anduser hosted service region. In some embodiments, the access points takeon some the functionality of a traditional Radio Network Controller(RNC).

Some embodiments define multi-layered protocol stacks for implementingmanagement functionality within the access points and the networkcontroller of the first communication system. In some embodiments, theprotocol stacks include a management layer that performs functionalityof the HNB Application Part (HNBAP) protocol. The protocol stacks ofsome embodiments implement management functionality that includes aregistration procedure for registering a particular access point withthe network controller. Specifically, the protocol stacks enable aregistration procedure that allows a service region associated with aparticular access point to access services of the core network throughthe network controller. Additional management functionality implementedby the protocol stacks of some embodiments include discovery proceduresfor identifying a network controller with which the particular accesspoint is to register.

Some embodiments define multi-layered protocol stacks for implementingcontrol plane functionality within the access points and the networkcontroller of the first communication system. In some embodiments, theprotocol stacks include a Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP)user adaptation (RUA) layer that enables a method for transparentlypassing RANAP messages between the access points and the networkcontroller over a reliable transport connection. The method receives aRANAP message and encapsulates the message with a RUA header. The methodthen passes the encapsulated message to a receiving endpoint within thefirst communication system. In this manner, the RANAP message is passedfrom a first endpoint of the first communication system to a secondendpoint of the first communication system. Additionally, in someembodiments, the network controller decodes and processes only the RUAheader before relaying the RANAP message to the core network operatingwithin a service region of the first communication system. In someembodiments, an access point performs the RANAP encapsulation and thereceiving endpoint is a network controller. In some embodiments, thenetwork controller performs the RANAP encapsulation and the receivingendpoint is an access point. The receiving endpoint need only decode andprocess the RUA header. Note that RANAP is only used to communicate withcore network. The communication with UE (e.g. by the HNB) uses the RRCprotocol as per 3GPP 25.331 specifications, “Radio Resource Control(RRC) Protocol Specification”, the contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference, hereinafter referred to as TS 25.331. The HNBon the receiving end processes the RUA as well as the entire RANAPmessage. The content of the RANAP messages are extracted by the HNB andconverted to appropriate RRC messages.

Some embodiments define messaging formats to be used in conjunction withthe various protocol stacks. Some embodiments provide a message thatwhen sent from a particular access point to the network controllerexplicitly indicates the start of a communication session between theparticular access point and the network controller. In some embodiments,the contents of the message are used to route the establishment of asignaling connection from the network controller to a core network nodewithin a core network domain identified by the message.

Some embodiments provide a computer readable storage medium of an accesspoint that stores a computer program. The computer program includesinstructions that are executable by one or more processors. In someembodiments, the computer program includes a set of instruction forgenerating a message to send to the network controller to explicitlyindicate start of a communication session with the network controller.The message includes a Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP)message for establishing a signaling connection with the networkcontroller. The computer program also includes a set of instructions forpassing a set of RANAP messages to the core network through the networkcontroller after establishing the signaling connection. The set of RANAPmessages facilitates communications between the particular access pointand the core network.

Some embodiments provide a computer readable storage medium of aparticular access point that stores a computer program. The computerprogram includes instructions that are executable by one or moreprocessors. In some embodiments, the computer program includes a set ofinstruction for receiving a message to explicitly indicate start of acommunication session with a particular access point. The messageincludes a Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) message that isencapsulated with a header of the second network. The message is usedfor establishing a signaling connection with the particular accesspoint. The computer program also includes a set of instructions foranalyzing the message header to identify a destination in the corenetwork to receive the message. The computer program further includes aset of instructions for forwarding the message without the header to thedestination in the core network to establish the signaling connection

Some embodiments further provide messages for directly transferring datadownstream from the core network through the first communication systemto a UE operating within a particular service region. Some embodimentsprovide messages for directly transferring data upstream from a UE in aparticular service region through the first communication system to thecore network. Directly transferring data involves routing a RANAPmessage through the network controller and an access point where thecontents of the RANAP message are not processed by the networkcontroller. In some embodiments, the network controller may process andmodify the content of some of the RANAP message (for example, transportnetwork switching that is converting ATM transport from/to the corenetwork into the appropriate IP transport over the HNB-AN).

Some embodiments provide a computer-readable medium that is encoded witha data storage structure. The data storage structure for passing a RadioAccess Network Application Part (RANAP) message within a firstcommunication system that includes several user hosted access points forestablishing service regions of the first communication system by usingshort range licensed wireless frequencies and a network controller thatcan communicatively couple user equipment operating in the serviceregions to a core network of a second communication system that alsoincludes a licensed wireless radio access network. The data storagestructure has a header that includes a core network domain identity toidentify at least one of a core network domain from which the RANAPmessage originated and a core network domain for which the RANAP messageis to be sent. The header also includes a context identifier to uniquelyidentify a particular user equipment operating within a particularservice region of the second communication system. The data storagestructure also includes payload data that include the RANAP message.

The registration procedure of some embodiments specifies a method forregistering UEs with the first communication system. The method, from anaccess point coupled to a UE sends a registration request message to thenetwork controller on behalf of the UE. The method receives aregistration accept message when the UE is authorized to access servicesof the first communication system through the particular access point.As part of the registration accept message, some embodiments include auniquely assigned context identifier that identifies the UE while the UEis connected for service at the particular access point. All subsequentmessages will include the assigned context identifier to identify theUE.

The registration procedure of some embodiments also specifies a methodfor registering an access point with the network controller. The methodincludes the access point sending its identification information andlocation information to the network controller. The network controllerdetermines whether the access point identified by the identificationinformation at the specified location is permitted to access services ofthe first communication system through the network controller. Whenpermitted, the access point receives a registration accept message fromthe network controller. Otherwise, the method rejects the access pointor redirects the access point to another network controller.

Some embodiments provide emergency responders the ability to locate aposition of an emergency caller when the caller places the emergencyrequest through a service area of the first communication system. Morespecifically, some embodiments provide a method whereby unauthorized UEsare still permitted limited service to the first communication system inorder to establish an emergency call when in a service region of thefirst communication system. The method includes receiving, at aparticular access point, a service request from a UE indicating that theUE is requesting emergency services. The particular access point thenperforms a registration procedure with the network controller thatindicates that the purpose of the registration is to request emergencyservices for the UE. The method includes receiving a registration acceptmessage with a context identifier to be used by the UE in order toaccess limited services of the first communication system, specifically,emergency services.

Some embodiments provide a method that at the network controller,establishes a bearer connection between a particular access point andthe core network. The establishing the bearer connection includesinitiating signaling to establish an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)based bearer connection between the network controller and the corenetwork. The establishing the bearer connection also includesestablishing an Internet Protocol (IP) based bearer connection betweenthe network controller and the particular service region. The methodalso includes receiving a message from the particular access point forestablishing a user plane between the particular access point and thecore network. The method also includes establishing the user plane byusing the IP based bearer connection between the particular access pointand the network controller and the ATM based bearer connection betweenthe network controller and the core network. The network controllerroutes user plane data received from the particular access point overthe IP based bearer connection to the core network through the ATM basedbearer connection by the network controller.

Some embodiments provide a method for user equipment (UE) registrationwith a closed subscriber group (CSG) system. The method receives a UEregistration request at the network controller from an access point. Therequest includes an initial NAS message from the UE and a CSGidentification associated with the access point. The method relays theregistration request that includes the initial NAS message and the CSGidentification to the core network. The method receives a permanentidentity of the UE from the core network based on the registrationrequest. The method uses the permanent identity of the UE to completethe UE registration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth in the appendedclaims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of theinvention are set forth in the following figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system architecture for 3 G HNB deployments inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates elements of the HNB Access Network (HNB-AN)sub-system architecture in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates the Home Node-B (HNB) system architecture includingthe HNB-AN of some embodiments integrated with a core network of asecond communication system that includes a licensed wireless radioaccess network.

FIG. 4 illustrates some of the various devices that may be used in someembodiments in order to access services of the HNB-AN or HNB system.

FIG. 5 illustrates the protocol architecture supporting the HNBApplication Part (HNBAP) over the Iuh interface, in some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates the protocol architecture in support of the HNBcontrol plane (i.e., for both the CS and PS domain), in someembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates INITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER message content in someembodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates UPLINK DIRECT TRANSFER message content in someembodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates DOWNLINK DIRECT TRANSFER message content in someembodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates an applicable Protocol Data Unit (PDU) structure forthe transport of RANAP in some embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative PDU/RUA Adaptation Layer Structure ofsome embodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates the details of the RUA Header structure in someembodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a PDU Error Indication message in some embodiments.

FIG. 14 illustrates a RANAP message transfer using adaptation layer insome embodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates handling of abnormal conditions over the Iuhinterface in some embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates the CS domain transport network control signaling(using ALCAP) over the ATM-based Iu-cs interface in some embodiments.

FIG. 17 illustrates the protocol architecture in support of the CSdomain user plane over the Iuh interface in some embodiments.

FIG. 18 illustrates the PS Domain User Plane Protocol Architecture insome embodiments.

FIG. 19 illustrates an overview of HNB initialization, discovery andregistration in some embodiments.

FIG. 20 illustrates the possible states for the HNBAP sub-layer in theHNB in some embodiments.

FIG. 21 illustrates the setup of UE context identifiers via UEregistration in some embodiments.

FIG. 22 illustrates the fields of an Iuh RANAP Header in someembodiments.

FIG. 23 illustrates a RANAP-H PDU in some embodiments.

FIG. 24 illustrates a Context Create Request (CCREQ) message in someembodiments.

FIG. 25 illustrates an Iuh RANAP header, in some embodiments.

FIG. 26 illustrates the structure of a PDU used for transferring anHNBAP message in some embodiments.

FIG. 27 illustrates a Create UE Context Request going from the HNB tothe HNB-GW in some embodiments.

FIG. 28 illustrates a Create UE Context Accept message going from theHNB-GW to the HNB in some embodiments.

FIG. 29 illustrates a Release UE Context message going from either theHNB-GW to the HNB or the HNB to the HNB-GW in some embodiments.

FIG. 30 illustrates a Release UE Context Complete message going fromeither the HNB-GW to the HNB or the HNB to the HNB-GW in someembodiments.

FIG. 31 illustrates the case when the HNB powers on and does not havestored information on the Serving HNB-GW, and then performs a discoveryprocedure with the provisioning HNB-GW and SeGW in some embodiments.

FIG. 32 illustrates the HNB Power on registration procedure in someembodiments.

FIG. 33 illustrates UE registration with the HNB in some embodiments.

FIG. 34 illustrates a procedure for the HNB-GW to allow UE registrationusing temporary identity in some embodiments.

FIG. 35 illustrates the UE rove out procedure, where the UE leaves theHNB coverage area while idle in some embodiments.

FIG. 36 illustrates the case when the UE powers down and performs anIMSI detach via the HNB access network in some embodiments.

FIG. 37 illustrates the loss of Iuh interface capacity for the HNB insome embodiments.

FIG. 38 illustrates an HNB-initiated register update between the HNB andHNB-GW in some embodiments.

FIG. 39 illustrates the HNB-GW-initiated registration update between theHNB and HNB-GW in some embodiments.

FIG. 40 illustrates the CS Handover from HNB to UTRAN in someembodiments.

FIG. 41 illustrates the CS handover from HNB to GERAN procedure in someembodiments.

FIG. 42 illustrates the PS Handover from HNB to UTRAN in someembodiments.

FIG. 43 illustrates the PS handover from HNB to GERAN procedure in someembodiments.

FIG. 44 illustrates CS bearer establishment (ATM transport) procedures(for MO/MT calls, using Iu-UP over AAL2) in some embodiments.

FIG. 45 illustrates CS bearer establishment (IP transport) procedures(for MO/MT calls, using Iu-UP over AAL2) in some embodiments.

FIG. 46 illustrates a mobile originated call over HNB procedure in someembodiments.

FIG. 47 illustrates a mobile terminated PSTN-to-mobile call procedure insome embodiments.

FIG. 48 illustrates a call release by an HNB subscriber procedure insome embodiments.

FIG. 49 illustrates an example relay of DTAP supplementary servicemessages in some embodiments.

FIG. 50 illustrates an uplink control plane data transport procedure insome embodiments.

FIG. 51 illustrates a downlink control plane data transport procedure insome embodiments.

FIG. 52 illustrates the HNB protocol architecture related to CS and PSdomain SMS support builds on the circuit and packet services signalingarchitecture in some embodiments.

FIG. 53 illustrates a CS mode mobile-originated SMS over HNB scenario insome embodiments.

FIG. 54 illustrates an emergency call routing over HNB using servicearea procedure in some embodiments.

FIG. 55 illustrates an emergency call routing over HNB of anunauthorized UE using service area procedure in some embodiments.

FIG. 56 illustrates a location based emergency call routing over HNBprocedure in some embodiments.

FIG. 57 illustrates HNB security mechanisms in some embodiments.

FIG. 58 illustrates message flow for security mode control over HNB insome embodiments.

FIG. 59 illustrates a CN AKA authentication over HNB procedure in someembodiments.

FIG. 60 illustrates the SAC for a new HNB connecting to the HNB networkin some embodiments.

FIG. 61 illustrates the SAC for an HNB getting redirected in HNB networkin some embodiments.

FIG. 62 illustrates the SAC for an HNB registering in a restricted UMTScoverage area in some embodiments.

FIG. 63 illustrates the SAC for an unauthorized UE accessing anauthorized HNB in some embodiments.

FIG. 64 conceptually illustrates a computer system with which someembodiments are implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerousdetails, examples, and embodiments of the invention are set forth anddescribed. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in theart that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth andthat the invention may be practiced without some of the specific detailsand examples discussed.

Throughout the following description, acronyms commonly used in thetelecommunications industry for wireless services are utilized alongwith acronyms specific to the present invention. A table of acronymsused in this application is included in Section XIII.

Some embodiments provide methods and systems for integrating a firstcommunication system with a core network of a second communicationsystem that has a licensed wireless radio access network. In someembodiments, the first communication system includes one or more userhosted access points that operate using short range licensed wirelessfrequencies in order to establish service regions of the firstcommunication system and a network controller for communicativelycoupling the service regions associated with the access points to thecore network.

The first communication system of some embodiments includes a HomeNode-B (HNB) Access Network (HNB-AN) where the access points are HomeNode-Bs and the network controller is a HNB Gateway (HNB-GW). Thelicensed wireless radio access network of the second communicationsystem of some embodiments includes a Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network(UTRAN) and the core network of the second communication system includesa core network of the UMTS.

The network controller of some embodiments seamlessly integrates each ofthe short range licensed wireless service regions with the core network.In some such embodiments, the network controller seamlessly integrateswith the core network by using existing Iu interfaces of the corenetwork to communicatively couple each of the service regions to thecore network. Accordingly, the network controller of some embodimentsuses standardized messaging and protocols to communicate with the corenetwork while utilizing HNB-AN messaging and protocols to communicatewith each of the service regions. In this manner, the network controllerof some embodiments reduces deployment costs of the HNB-AN within theUMTS core network. Specifically, deployment of the network controller ofsome embodiments requires no change to the UMTS core network while stillproviding HNB wireless service that combines the mobility of licensedwireless networks with the quality and speed of landline/broadbandservices. In some embodiments, the network controllers take on some ofthe functionality of a traditional Radio Network Controller (RNC).

Additionally, the access points of some embodiments seamlessly integratewith existing user equipment (UE) of the licensed wireless radio accessnetworks of the second communication system. In this manner, the accesspoints reduce deployment costs of the HNB-AN, as users are able toutilize existing UE in order to wirelessly communicate through eitherthe first communication system or the second communication system wherethe first communication system combines the wireless mobility affordedby the licensed wireless radio access network of the secondcommunication system with the speed and quality of service afforded bylandline/broadband services. In some embodiments, the access points arefunctionally equivalent to a Node-B of the UTRAN while having theflexibility and lower deployment costs associated with an ad-hoc anduser hosted service region. In some embodiments, the access points takeon some the functionality of a traditional Radio Network Controller(RNC).

Some embodiments define multi-layered protocol stacks for implementingmanagement functionality within the access points and the networkcontroller of the first communication system. In some embodiments, theprotocol stacks include a management layer that performs functionalityof the HNB Application Part (HNBAP) protocol. The protocol stacks ofsome embodiments implement management functionality that includes aregistration procedure for registering a particular access point withthe network controller. Specifically, the protocol stacks enable aregistration procedure that allows a service region associated with aparticular access point to access services of the core network throughthe network controller. Additional management functionality implementedby the protocol stacks of some embodiments include discovery proceduresfor identifying a network controller with which the particular accesspoint is to register.

Some embodiments define multi-layered protocol stacks for implementingcontrol plane functionality within the access points and the networkcontroller of the first communication system. In some embodiments, theprotocol stacks include a Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP)user adaptation (RUA) layer that enables a method for transparentlypassing RANAP messages between the access points and the networkcontroller over a reliable transport connection. The method receives aRANAP message and encapsulates the message with a RUA header. The methodthen passes the encapsulated message to a receiving endpoint within thefirst communication system. In this manner, the RANAP message is passedfrom a first endpoint of the first communication system to a secondendpoint of the first communication system. Additionally, in someembodiments, the network controller decodes and processes only the RUAheader before relaying the RANAP message to the core network operatingwithin a service region of the first communication system. In someembodiments, an access point performs the RANAP encapsulation and thereceiving endpoint is a network controller. In some embodiments, thenetwork controller performs the RANAP encapsulation and the receivingendpoint is an access point. The receiving endpoint need only decode andprocess the RUA header. Note that RANAP is only used to communicate withcore network. The communication with UE (e.g. by the HNB) uses the RRCprotocol as per 3GPP 25.331 specifications. The HNB on the receiving endprocesses the RUA as well as the entire RANAP message. The content ofthe RANAP messages are extracted by the HNB and converted to appropriateRRC messages.

Some embodiments define messaging formats to be used in conjunction withthe various protocol stacks. Some embodiments provide a message thatwhen sent from a particular access point to the network controllerexplicitly indicates the start of a communication session between theparticular access point and the network controller. In some embodiments,the contents of the message are used to route the establishment of asignaling connection from the network controller to a core network nodewithin a core network domain identified by the message.

Some embodiments provide a computer readable storage medium of an accesspoint that stores a computer program. The computer program includesinstructions that are executable by one or more processors. In someembodiments, the computer program includes a set of instruction forgenerating a message to send to the network controller to explicitlyindicate start of a communication session with the network controller.The message includes a Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP)message for establishing a signaling connection with the networkcontroller. The computer program also includes a set of instructions forpassing a set of RANAP messages to the core network through the networkcontroller after establishing the signaling connection. The set of RANAPmessages facilitates communications between the particular access pointand the core network.

Some embodiments provide a computer readable storage medium of aparticular access point that stores a computer program. The computerprogram includes instructions that are executable by one or moreprocessors. In some embodiments, the computer program includes a set ofinstruction for receiving a message to explicitly indicate start of acommunication session with a particular access point. The messageincludes a Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) message that isencapsulated with a header of the second network. The message is usedfor establishing a signaling connection with the particular accesspoint. The computer program also includes a set of instructions foranalyzing the message header to identify a destination in the corenetwork to receive the message. The computer program further includes aset of instructions for forwarding the message without the header to thedestination in the core network to establish the signaling connection

Some embodiments further provide messages for directly transferring datadownstream from the core network through the first communication systemto a UE operating within a particular service region. Some embodimentsprovide messages for directly transferring data upstream from a UE in aparticular service region through the first communication system to thecore network. Directly transferring data involves routing a RANAPmessage through the network controller and an access point where thecontents of the RANAP message are not processed by the networkcontroller. In some embodiments, the network controller may process andmodify the content of some of the RANAP message (for example, transportnetwork switching that is converting ATM transport from/to the corenetwork into the appropriate IP transport over the HNB-AN).

Some embodiments provide a computer-readable medium that is encoded witha data storage structure. The data storage structure for passing a RadioAccess Network Application Part (RANAP) message within a firstcommunication system that includes several user hosted access points forestablishing service regions of the first communication system by usingshort range licensed wireless frequencies and a network controller thatcan communicatively couple user equipment operating in the serviceregions to a core network of a second communication system that alsoincludes a licensed wireless radio access network. The data storagestructure has a header that includes a core network domain identity toidentify at least one of a core network domain from which the RANAPmessage originated and a core network domain for which the RANAP messageis to be sent. The header also includes a context identifier to uniquelyidentify a particular user equipment operating within a particularservice region of the second communication system. The data storagestructure also includes payload data that include the RANAP message.

The registration procedure of some embodiments specifies a method forregistering UEs with the first communication system. The method, from anaccess point coupled to a UE sends a registration request message to thenetwork controller on behalf of the UE. The method receives aregistration accept message when the UE is authorized to access servicesof the first communication system through the particular access point.As part of the registration accept message, some embodiments include auniquely assigned context identifier that identifies the UE while the UEis connected for service at the particular access point. All subsequentmessages will include the assigned context identifier to identify theUE.

The registration procedure of some embodiments also specifies a methodfor registering an access point with the network controller. The methodincludes the access point sending its identification information andlocation information to the network controller. The network controllerdetermines whether the access point identified by the identificationinformation at the specified location is permitted to access services ofthe first communication system through the network controller. Whenpermitted, the access point receives a registration accept message fromthe network controller. Otherwise, the method rejects the access pointor redirects the access point to another network controller.

Some embodiments provide emergency responders the ability to locate aposition of an emergency caller when the caller places the emergencyrequest through a service area of the first communication system. Morespecifically, some embodiments provide a method whereby unauthorized UEsare still permitted limited service to the first communication system inorder to establish an emergency call when in a service region of thefirst communication system. The method includes receiving, at aparticular access point, a service request from a UE indicating that theUE is requesting emergency services. The particular access point thenperforms a registration procedure with the network controller thatindicates that the purpose of the registration is to request emergencyservices for the UE. The method includes receiving a registration acceptmessage with a context identifier to be used by the UE in order toaccess limited services of the first communication system, specifically,emergency services.

Some embodiments provide a method that at the network controller,establishes a bearer connection between a particular access point andthe core network. The establishing the bearer connection includesinitiating signaling to establish an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)based bearer connection between the network controller and the corenetwork. The establishing the bearer connection also includesestablishing an Internet Protocol (IP) based bearer connection betweenthe network controller and the particular service region. The methodalso includes receiving a message from the particular access point forestablishing a user plane between the particular access point and thecore network. The method also includes establishing the user plane byusing the IP based bearer connection between the particular access pointand the network controller and the ATM based bearer connection betweenthe network controller and the core network. The network controllerroutes user plane data received from the particular access point overthe IP based bearer connection to the core network through the ATM basedbearer connection by the network controller.

Some embodiments provide a method for user equipment (UE) registrationwith a closed subscriber group (CSG) system. The method receives a UEregistration request at the network controller from an access point. Therequest includes an initial NAS message from the UE and a CSGidentification associated with the access point. The method relays theregistration request that includes the initial NAS message and the CSGidentification to the core network. The method receives a permanentidentity of the UE from the core network based on the registrationrequest. The method uses the permanent identity of the UE to completethe UE registration.

Several more detailed embodiments of the invention are described insections below. Specifically, Section I discusses the HNB systemarchitecture. Section II describes various protocol architectures of theHNB system, including protocol architectures for the Home Node-BApplication Part (HNBAP) and the Radio Access Network Application Part(RANAP) User Adaption (RUA) layer. Section III discusses mobilitymanagement within the HNB system, including mobility managementscenarios and relocation.

Section IV describes call management and some call management scenarios.Section V discusses packet services. Section VI discusses short messageservices and scenarios. Section VII describes emergency services,including service area based routing and location based routing. SectionVIII discusses Lawfully Authorized Electronic Surveillance (LAES)Service.

Section IX discusses HNB security, including authentication, encryption,a profile of IKEv2, a profile of IPSec ESP, security mode control, andcore network authentication. Section X describes HNB service accesscontrol (HNB SAC), including HNB-GW and service area selection, andservice access control use case examples. Section XI analyzes theimpacts of various access control policies. Section XII provides adescription of a computer system with which some embodiments of theinvention are implemented. Lastly, Section XIII lists the abbreviationsand provides definitions for terms found herein.

I. HNB SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

FIG. 1 illustrates a system architecture for 3 G HNB deployments inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. As shown, the systemincludes a HNB access network (or HNB system) 110. The key features ofthe 3 G HNB system architecture include (a) support for a standard UserEquipment (UE) 105 as defined in the 3GPP technical specification TS23.101 entitled “General UMTS architecture” which is incorporated hereinby reference and (b) co-existence with the UMTS Terrestrial Radio AccessNetwork (UTRAN) and interconnection with the existing Core Network (CN)115 via the standardized interfaces defined for UTRAN.

In some embodiments, the standardized interfaces include (a) the Iu-csinterface for circuit switched services as overviewed in the 3GPPtechnical specification (TS) 25.410 entitled “UTRAN Iu Interface:general aspects and principles” which is incorporated herein byreference, (b) the Iu-ps interface for packet switched services asoverviewed in the 3GPP TS 25.410, (c) the Iu-pc interface for supportinglocation services as described in the 3GPP TS 25.450 entitled “UTRANIupc interface general aspects and principles” which is incorporatedherein by reference, and (d) the Iu-bc interface for supporting cellbroadcast services as described in the 3GPP TS 25.419 entitled “UTRANIu-BC interface: Service Area Broadcast Protocol (SABP)” which isincorporated herein by reference. However, it should be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that other interfaces may be implemented bythe HNB-AN such as the A/Gb interfaces of standard Global System forMobile (GSM) communications systems.

To address specific 3 G HNB applications, some embodiments utilizeexisting Iu and Uu interfaces within the HNB-AN 110. The HNB-AN 110addresses some of the key issues in the deployment of 3 G HNBapplications, such as the ad-hoc and large scale deployment of 3 G HNBsusing public infrastructure such as the Internet.

FIG. 2 illustrates elements of the HNB Access Network (HNB-AN) 200architecture in accordance with some embodiments. This figure includes(3 G) HNB 205, Generic IP Access Network 210, HNB-GW 215, HNB ManagementSystem 220, Iuh interface 225 that is established between the Generic IPAccess Network 210 and the HNB-GW 215, and an interface 230 between theHNB-GW 215 and the HNB Management System 220. In some embodiments, theinterface 230 is based on the 3GPP TR-069 family of standards. In someother embodiments, the interface 230 is the Iuhm interface. Theseelements are described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 and other figures below illustrate a single access point (e.g.,HNB 205) communicatively coupled to a network controller (e.g., HNB-GW215). However, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthat the network controller (e.g., HNB-GW 215) of some embodiments iscommunicatively coupled to several HNBs and the network controllercommunicatively couples all such HNBs to the core network. Also, the HNBof some embodiments is communicatively coupled to several UEs. Thefigures merely illustrate a single HNB communicatively coupled to theHNB-GW for purposes of simplifying the discussion to interactionsbetween a single access point and a single network controller. However,the same network controller may have several of the same interactionswith several different access points.

FIG. 3 illustrates the HNB-AN system architecture of some embodimentsintegrated with a core network of a second communication system thatincludes a licensed wireless radio access network. The HNB systemincludes (1) Home Node-B (HNB) 305, (2) Home Node-B Gateway (HNB-GW)315, (3) Broadband IP Network 320, (4) Security Gateway (SeGW) 325, and(6) HNB Management System 330. The licensed wireless radio accessnetwork of the second communication system includes UTRAN 385 which iscomprised of a Node-B 380 and a Radio Network Controller 375 of a UMTS.The core network of the second communication system includes MobileSwitching Center (MSC) 365, Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 370,Authorization, Authentication, and Accounting server 355, and HomeLocation Register 360. Additionally, Service Mobile Location Center(SMLC) 340 and Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 345 may be components of thecore network.

A. User Equipment (UE)

In some embodiments, UE 310 is used to access services of the HNB-AN andalso access services of the licensed wireless radio access network 385of a cellular provider. In some such embodiments, the UE seamlesslytransitions from the HNB-AN to the cellular provider and vice versawithout loss of connectivity. In some embodiments, the UE 310 is thus astandard device operating over licensed spectrum of a licensed wirelesssystem provider. Accordingly, the UE 310 wirelessly connects to the HNB305 using the same signaling and messaging interfaces as it would whenconnecting to a base station, such as a base transceiver station (BTS)in GSM, or the Node-B 380 of a Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem (UMTS).

FIG. 4 illustrates some of the various devices that may be used in someembodiments in order to access services of the HNB-AN or HNB system. Insome embodiments, the devices include (1) standard licensed wirelesshandsets 405 and wireless enabled computers 410 that connect through anHNB 415, (2) dual mode handsets with WiMAX capabilities 420 that connectthrough WiMAX access points 425, (3) devices such as wired telephones430 and faxes 435 that connect through terminal adapters 440, and (4)softmobile enabled devices 445.

1. Licensed Wireless Handsets

In some embodiments, the UE 310 includes cellular telephones 405,smartphones, PDAs, and modem like devices some of which are shown inFIG. 4. These devices include any device that wirelessly communicateswith a licensed wireless service provider using existing licensedwireless technologies, such as Global System for Mobile (GSM)communications, UMTS, etc.

2. Terminal Adaptors

In some embodiments, the UE 310 includes a terminal adaptor device (suchas 440 of FIG. 4) that allows incorporating fixed-terminal devices suchas telephones, faxes, and other equipments that are not wirelesslyenabled within the HNB-AN. As far as the subscriber is concerned, theservice behaves as a standard analog fixed telephone line. The serviceis delivered in a manner similar to other fixed line VoIP services,where a UE is connected to the subscriber's existing broadband (e.g.,Internet) service.

3. WiMAX

In some embodiments, the UE 310 includes a dual mode cellular/WiMAX UE(such as 420 of FIG. 4) that enables a subscriber to seamlesslytransition between a cellular network and a WiMAX network through aWiMAX access point (such as 425 of FIG. 4).

4. SoftMobiles

Connecting laptops to broadband access at hotels and Wi-Fi hot spots hasbecome popular, particularly for international business travelers. Inaddition, many travelers are beginning to utilize their laptops andbroadband connections for the purpose of voice communications. Ratherthan using mobile phones to make calls and pay significant roaming fees,they utilize SoftMobiles (or SoftPhones) such as 445 of FIG. 4 and VoIPservices when making long distance calls. Accordingly, the UE 310 ofsome embodiments includes SoftMobile like devices.

To use a SoftMobile service, a subscriber would place a USB memory stickwith an embedded SIM into a USB port of their laptop. A SoftMobileclient would automatically launch and connect over IP to the mobileservice provider. From that point on, the subscriber would be able tomake and receive mobile calls as if she was in her home calling area.

B. HNB

The Home Node-B (HNB) 305 is an access point that offers a standardradio interface (Uu) for user equipment (UE) connectivity using shortrange licensed wireless frequencies. The HNB 305 provides the radioaccess network connectivity to the UE using the Iuh interface towardsthe HNB-GW 315.

The HNB 305 differs from the UMTS Node-B in that the range of wirelessconnectivity supported by the HNB 305 (e.g., tens of meters) is muchless than the range supported by the UMTS Node-B (e.g., hundreds orthousands of meters). This is because the HNB 305 is a low power and ashort range device similar to wireless access points found within auser's home. The low power and short range requirement ensures that theHNB 305 does not interfere with the service regions of the licensedwireless system providers (e.g., cellular networks) that are establishedusing the wireless frequencies that the licensed wireless systemproviders licensed from the government at great expense. Moreover, thelow power requirement enables the HNB 305 to operate using standardelectrical outlets of a user's home or office. In some embodiments, thelow power and short range requirement further facilitates the smallscale of the HNB device relative to the radio access network Node-Bdevices. Unlike the Node-B, which often is a tower with multipleantennae with the tower reaching several meters in height, the HNB is amuch smaller device often the size of 802.11 wireless routers commonlyfound within a user's home.

Conversely, the Node-B is network equipment of a UMTS Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (UTRAN). The Node-B is managed and operated by a licensedwireless system provider. The Node-B of the licensed wireless system hasto provide service to many more users than the HNB 305 and must do sowithout loss of connectivity over vast regions (e.g., states andcountries). Accordingly, the licensed wireless service provider deploysseveral Node-Bs that are adjacent to one another in order to create anuninterrupted region of coverage. Conversely, an HNB service regionestablished by a first HNB does not need to be adjacent to any other HNBservice region and need not offer uninterrupted service between HNBservice regions.

In some embodiments, the HNB 305 is user hosted as opposed to the Node-Bthat is hosted by the licensed wireless system. A user hosted HNB allowsa user to specify the location of the HNB, provide the connectivitybetween HNB and the HNB network or HNB-GW (e.g., the broadbandconnection), control operation of the HNB, for example, by providingpower to the HNB, or manage the HNB by modifying configurationparameters of the HNB. All such control over the Node-B is tightlymanaged by the licensed wireless system provider. In other words, theHNB is customer premise equipment (CPE) that a user is able to purchasefrom an electronics store or from the HNB-AN provider, whereas theNode-B is network equipment that is impractical for a single user topurchase, operate, and maintain.

Additionally, a key characteristic of the HNB architecture of someembodiments is that there are no permanent pre-configured peeradjacencies between HNB and HNB-GW. Instead, there are ad-hocadjacencies that are initiated from the HNB (as it is usually behind aNAT/firewall, and does not have a permanent IP address in the carriernetwork). The HNB system therefore offers flexibility in deployingservice. The HNBs of an HNB system may be deployed on an ad hoc basis asopposed to the regimented deployment structure of the licensed wirelesssystem.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the HNB 305 supports enhancements foroperating in an ad-hoc environment and the Node-B does not. The ad hocsystem allows for individual users to establish HNB service regionsbased on each user's needs. In some embodiments, each user purchases anHNB and each of the HNBs may be purchased from different vendors withdifferent HNB implementations. In this manner, the ad hoc HNB systemcreates several individual local coverage areas based on user deploymentof each HNB whereas the licensed wireless system deploys its Node-Bs inan effort to provide regional coverage area that is uninterrupted acrosslarge areas (e.g., hundreds of miles).

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that in someembodiments the HNB system provider deploys the HNBs rather than theusers. In some such embodiments, the system remains ad hoc by virtue ofthe discontinuous nature of the separate and local HNB service regions.Additionally, in some such embodiments, the HNBs remain user hostedsince power and broadband connectivity is provided by the user eventhough the system provider more closely regulates the HNB equipment thatis deployed.

The ad hoc nature of the HNB system also allows the system to grow andshrink as its user base grows and shrinks. For example, whenever a newuser desires to utilize the HNB service, the user purchases and hosts aHNB at a home or office location. The user hosted HNB provides the userwith a HNB-AN service region from which the user access HNB systemservices. Conversely, the licensed wireless system provider must firstdeploy several Node-Bs in order to provide extensive large scaleregional coverage. Once the service regions are established at greatexpense to the licensed wireless system provider, users then activateservice with the licensed wireless system provider. Accordingly, the HNBsystem is an unplanned system whereas the licensed wireless system is aplanned system. In other words, the HNB system does not need an existingaccess point infrastructure in order to operate. Rather, theinfrastructure is unplanned whereby the infrastructure is built uponwith every new user that is added to the system. This is opposite to theplanned licensed wireless system. The licensed wireless system requiresthat there be an existing infrastructure before new users can be added.The infrastructure of the licensed wireless system is planned in thesense that the infrastructure is built first in a particular region andthen the service is marketed to that region after the infrastructure isbuilt.

The HNB 305 also differs from generic access points used in UMA systems.Specifically, in a UMA system the access points act as transparent basestations. In other words, the user equipment and the network controllerdirectly communicate. In the HNB system, however, the HNB 305 includesvarious Radio Network Controller (RNC) functionality. In some suchembodiments, the HNB 305 initiates various messaging procedures andmaintains state information regarding user equipment operating withinthe service region associated with the HNB 305. The HNB 305 is equippedwith either a standard 3 G Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM)or a 2 G SIM. The (U)SIM provides the HNB 305 with a unique subscriberidentity and allows the HNB 305 to utilize the existing subscribermanagement infrastructure of an operator. It should be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments of the HNB systemutilize a different identification mechanism for the HNB than the(U)SIM. For example, the HNB identity of some embodiments is based onMedia Access Control (MAC) address of the HNB or any other globallyunique identifier such as the combination of vendor identity and serialnumber from that vendor.

The access points of some embodiments include circuits for receiving,transmitting, generating, and processing the various messages that causevarious physical transformations within the HNB-AN, core network, andlicensed wireless radio access network. In some embodiments, thecircuits of the access points include a processor, memory, receiver, andtransceiver. In some embodiments, the receiver and/or the transceiverare wireless interfaces that operate using short range licensed wirelessfrequencies. In some other embodiments, the receiver and/or thetransceiver are wired interfaces (e.g., DSL, cable, etc.). Thesecircuits perform various physical transformations on the access point aswell as other elements within the HNB-AN, licensed wireless radio accessnetwork, and core network. For example, the processor in conjunctionwith the memory generate a paging message that when sent to a UE usingthe transceiver causes the UE to prompt the user of an incoming call. Asanother example, the access point registers a UE by generating aregistration message that is sent to the network controller using thetransceiver when the access point detects that the UE has camped on theservice region of the access point based on a location update messagereceived by the access point on its receiver. These and other physicalcomponents of the access points of some embodiments are described withfurther detail in FIG. 64 below.

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the HNBis one implementation of an access point that operates using short rangelicensed wireless frequencies. Some embodiments allow for any accesspoint that operates using short range licensed wireless frequencies tobe used in place of or in conjunction with the HNBs. For example, aFemtocell access point is a different implementation of an access pointthat provides short range licensed wireless frequencies in order toestablish a service region of a Femtocell system that is similar to theHNB system described in relation to some embodiments of the invention.

C. Broadband IP Network

The HNB 305 provides radio access network connectivity for the UE 310.The HNB 305 then communicatively couples the UE to the HNB-GW 315 usingthe Iuh interface that exists between the HNB 305 and the HNB-GW 315. Asshown in FIG. 3, the Iuh interface is established over a broadbandInternet Protocol (IP) network 320 where, in some embodiments, acustomer's broadband connection is utilized. The broadband IP Network320 represents all the elements that collectively, support IPconnectivity between the HNB-GW 315 and the HNB 305. The IP network 320is assumed to be an untrusted public IP network without any AsynchronousTransfer Mode (ATM) or Signaling System 7 (SS7) infrastructure.

In some embodiments, the broadband IP network 320 includes (1) otherCustomer premise equipment (e.g., Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)/cablemodem, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) switch, residentialgateways/routers, switches, hubs, WLAN access points), (2) networksystems specific to the broadband access technology (e.g., DSL AccessMultiplexer (DSLAM) or Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS)), (3)Internet Service Provider (ISP) IP network systems (edge routers, corerouters, firewalls), (4) wireless service provider (WSP) IP networksystems (edge routers, core routers, firewalls) and Network addresstranslation (NAT) functions, either standalone or integrated into one ormore of the above systems.

D. HNB-GW

The HNB-GW 315 is a network controller that provides networkconnectivity of the HNB 305 to the existing core network (CN) 335. TheHNB-GW 315 entity appears as a legacy RNC to the existing CN 335.Specifically, the HNB-GW 315 uses existing Iu interfaces (e.g., Iu-csand Iu-ps) for CN connectivity. In this manner, the HNB system may beintegrated into the existing CN 335 with no change to the CN 335. Thisallows licensed wireless system providers the ability to provide HNBsystem functionality to their users with no change to their existingnetwork.

As noted above, the HNB-GW 315 connects to the HNB 305 using the Iuhinterface. Additional interfaces of the HNB-GW 315 include the Iu-pcinterface to the Service Mobile Location Center (SMLC) 340, the Iu-bcinterface to the Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 345, the Wm interface tothe Authorization, Authentication, and Accounting (AAA) server 355, andan interface that is based on the 3GPP TR-069 family of standards, asspecified by the DSL Forum technical specifications, to the HNBmanagement system 330. In some embodiments, the interface to the HNBmanagement system 330 is the Iuhm interface. In some such embodiments,the Iuhm interface carries information related to customer premiseequipment (CPE) device management functionality between the HNB and HNBMgmt System. It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthat other interfaces may be used instead of or in addition to the aboveenumerated interfaces.

In some embodiments, the HNB-GW 315 connects to several different HNBsand services each of the corresponding service regions of each of theseveral HNBs. In this manner, a single HNB-GW, such as the HNB-GW 315,communicatively couples multiple HNB service regions to the CN 335.Accordingly, the HNB-GW 315 provides call management functionality,mobility management functionality, security functionality, etc. as willbe described in greater detail below. The HNB-GW 315 also performs keyfunctionalities, such as the management of the legacy UTRAN identifiers(Location Area Identifiers (LAI), Service Area Identifiers (SAI),RND-Id, etc.) towards the CN 335, and Iuh interface management.

In some embodiments, the HNB-GW 315 includes various software modulesub-components and/or various hardware module sub-components thatperform some of the above mentioned functionality. For example, theSecurity Gateway (SeGW) 325 is a logical entity within the HNB-GW 315.The SeGW 325 provides the security functions including termination ofsecure access tunnels from the HNB 305, mutual authentication,encryption and data integrity for signaling, voice and data traffic.

The HNB Management System 330 provides centralized Customer PremiseEquipment (CPE) device management for the HNB 305 and communicates withthe HNB 305 via the security gateway logical entity. This system is usedto manage a large number of HNBs including configuration, failuremanagement, diagnostics, monitoring and software upgrades. In someembodiments, the HNB Management System 330 utilizes existing CPE devicemanagement techniques such as those described in the DSL Forum technicalspecifications TR-069.

The network controller of some embodiments includes circuits forreceiving, transmitting, generating, and processing the various messagesthat cause various physical transformations within the HNB-AN, corenetwork, and licensed wireless radio access network. In someembodiments, the circuits of the network controller include a processor,memory, receiver, and transceiver. These circuits perform variousphysical transformations on the network controller as well as otherelements within the HNB-AN, licensed wireless radio access network, andcore network. For example, the processor in conjunction with the memorygenerate context identifiers that when sent to a UE using thetransceiver provide the UE with a unique identifier when operatingwithin the HNB-AN. These and other physical components of the networkcontroller of some embodiments are described with further detail in FIG.64 below.

E. Core Network (CN) and Other Network Elements

As mentioned above, the HNB-GW 315 provides network connectivity of theHNB 305 to the existing CN 335. The CN 335 includes one or more HLRs 360and AAA servers 355 for subscriber authentication and authorization.Once authorized, the UE may access the voice and data services of the CN335 through the HNB system. To provide such services, the CN 335includes a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 365 to provide circuit switchedservices (i.e., voice). The CN also includes a Serving GPRS Support Node(SGSN) 370 to provide packet switched services. Though not shown in FIG.3, the SGSN operates in a conjunction with a Gateway GPRS Support Node(GGSN) in order to provide the packet switched services.

The SGSN 370 is typically responsible for delivering data packets fromand to the GGSN and the UE within the geographical service area of theSGSN 370. Additionally, the SGSN 370 may perform functionality such asmobility management, storing user profiles, and storing locationinformation. However, the actual interface from the CN 335 to variousexternal data packet services networks (e.g., public Internet) isfacilitated by the GGSN. As the data packets originating from the UEtypically are not structured in the format with which to access theexternal data networks, it is the role of the GGSN to act as the gatewayinto such packet services networks. In this manner, the GGSN providesaddressing for data packets passing to and from the UE and the externalpacket services networks (not shown). Moreover, as the user equipment ofa licensed wireless network traverses multiple service regions and thusmultiple SGSNs, it is the role of the GGSN to provide a static gatewayinto the external data networks.

Location services are provided by the SMLC 340. The CBC 345 providessupport for cell broadcast services.

These and other elements of the CN 335 are primarily intended for usewith the licensed wireless systems. In the description below, thelicensed wireless system will be described with reference to the UTRANof a UMTS. However, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art that any licensed wireless system, such as a GSM/EDGE RadioAccess Network (GERAN) may be used to reference the licensed wirelesssystem.

Elements common to a UTRAN based cellular network include multiple basestations referred to as Node-Bs that facilitate wireless communicationservices for various UE via respective licensed radio links (e.g., radiolinks employing radio frequencies within a licensed bandwidth). Thelicensed wireless channel may comprise any licensed wireless servicehaving a defined UTRAN or GERAN interface protocol (e.g., Iu-cs andIu-ps interfaces for UTRAN or A and Gb interfaces for GERAN) for avoice/data network. The UTRAN 385 typically includes at least one Node-B380 and a Radio Network Controller (RNC) 375 for managing the set ofNode-Bs. Typically, the multiple Node-Bs are configured in a cellularconfiguration (one per each cell) that covers a wide service area. Alicensed wireless cell is sometimes referred to as a macro cell which isa logical term used to reference, e.g., the UMTS radio cell (i.e., 3 Gcell) under Node-B/RNC which is used to provide coverage typically inthe range of tens of kilometers. Also, the UTRAN or GERAN is sometimesreferred to as a macro network.

Each RNC communicates with components of the core network through theabove described standard radio network controller interface such as theIu-cs and Iu-ps interfaces. For example, a RNC communicates with MSC viathe UTRAN Iu-cs interface for circuit switched services. Additionally,the RNC communicates with SGSN via the UTRAN Iu-ps interface for packetswitched services through GGSN. It is through the use of thesestandardized network interfaces that the HNB system, more particularlythe HNB-GW, may be seamlessly integrated to leverage services of the CNand emulate functionality of a legacy RNC of the licensed wirelesssystem.

II. PROTOCOL ARCHITECTURES OF THE HNB SYSTEM

Functionality provided by each of the HNB and the HNB-GW are definedwithin various protocol stacks. In some embodiments, the protocol stacksinclude software layers that are stored to the memory of the HNB andHNB-GW and that are executed by a processing unit of the HNB and HNB-GW.In some embodiments, the protocol stacks are implemented as hardwaremodules within the HNB and HNB-GW. Additional hardware components of theHNB and HNB-GW are described below in Section XII, “Computer System”.

In some embodiments, the HNB system separates management functions fromcontrol plane functions into two separate protocol stacks. The HNBApplication Part (HNBAP) protocol architecture implements the managementfunctions for the HNB system and the RANAP User Adaptation (RUA)protocol architecture implements the control functions for the HNBsystem. As will be described below, additional protocol architecturesare specified for providing other functionality such as user planefunctionality. However, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art that other protocol architectures may be integrated into thecomponents of the HNB system and that the functionality of each of theprotocol architectures is scalable to provide more or less functionalitythan described below.

A. Protocol Architecture Over the Iuh Interface

1. HNB Application Part (HNBAP) Protocol Architecture

As noted above, the HNBAP protocol architecture supports managementfunctions between the HNB and HNB-GW including, but not limited to, themanagement of the underlying transport (i.e., the SCTP connection),HNB-GW discovery, and HNB and UE registration procedures. FIG. 5illustrates the HNBAP protocol architecture in accordance with someembodiments. This figure illustrates (1) HNB 505, (2) HNB-GW 515, and(3) HNBAP protocol stacks of each of the HNB 505 and the HNB-GW 515. TheHNBAP protocol stacks include (1) access layers 510, (2) transport IPlayer 520, (3) IP Security (IPSec) ESP layer 525, (4) remote IP layer540, (5) Stream Control Transmission Protocol layer (SCTP) 530, and (6)a HNBAP protocol layer 545.

The underlying Access Layers 510 and “Transport IP” layer 520 (i.e., the“outer” IP layer associated with IPSec tunnel mode) provide the genericconnectivity between the HNB 505 and the HNB-GW 515. The IPSec layer 525operates in tunnel mode and provides encryption and data integrity forcommunications and data that are passed using the upper layers (530,540, and 545).

SCTP 530 provides reliable transport between the HNB 505 and the HNB-GW515. SCTP 530 is transported using the “Remote IP” layer 540 (i.e., the“inner” IP layer associated with IPSec tunnel mode). In someembodiments, the SCTP 530 establishes a single SCTP association betweenthe HNB 505 and HNB-GW 515. The same SCTP association is used for thetransport of both the HNBAP messages as well as the RANAP messages(using RUA protocol), described in further detail below, over the Iuhinterface 535. The SCTP Payload Protocol Identifier (PPI) value is usedto identify the protocol being transported in the SCTP data chunk (e.g.,HNBAP or RUA). The PPI value used for HNBAP transport is coordinatedbetween the HNB 505 and the HNB-GW 515 (e.g., the HNBAP PPI value shouldbe registered with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)). EachSCTP association contains a number of “streams” which are used tosupport multiple flows across the Iuh interface. In some embodiments, adedicated SCTP stream (i.e., stream id 0 of the underlying SCTPtransport association) is used for the transport of HNBAP messagesacross the Iuh interface.

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that otherreliable transport protocol layers may be used instead of SCTP 530 tofacilitate reliable transport of communications and data between the HNB505 and the HNB-GW 515. For example, some embodiments use theTransmission Control Protocol (TCP) for reliably transporting messagesbetween the HNB 505 and the HNB-GW 515.

In some embodiments, the HNBAP protocol 545 provides a resourcemanagement layer or equivalent functional layer capable of discovery ofthe serving HNB-GW, registration of the HNB and UE with the HNB-GW,registration updates with the HNB-GW, and support for the identificationof the HNB being used for HNB access. It should be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that the HNBAP protocol layer of someembodiments implements additional resource management functionality andthat the above enumerated list is an exemplary set of suchfunctionality. In some embodiments, the HNBAP protocol 545 utilizesdifferent message formats and utilizes a different set of proceduresthan the resource management layers of the 3GPP and UMA systems in orderto implement the resource management layer of the HNB system.

2. HNB Control Plane Architecture (RUA)

After performing the management functions defined by the HNBAP protocol,the HNB and HNB-GW utilize a different protocol architecture thatspecifies the control plane in the HNB system. FIG. 6 illustrates theprotocol architecture in support of the HNB control plane (i.e., forboth the CS and PS domain) in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 includes (1) HNB 605, (2) HNB-GW 615, (3) CN 640, (4) UE 650, and(5) control plane protocol stacks of each of the HNB 605, the HNB-GW615, the CN 640, and the UE 650. The control plane protocol stacks ofthe HNB 605 and the HNB-GW 615 include (1) access layers 610, (2)transport IP layer 620, (3) IPSec layer 625, (4) remote IP layer 640,(5) SCTP 630, (6) RANAP user adaptation (RUA) layer 635, and (7)interworking functionality (IWF) 645. The control plane protocol stackof the CN 640 includes signaling transport layers defined according tothe 3GPP technical specification TS 25.412, “UTRAN Iu InterfaceSignaling Transport”, herein incorporated by reference, a RANAP layer,and a Non Access Stratum (NAS) layer 665 that performs various callmanagement, mobility management, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)mobility management and session management, and short message services(SMS). The control plane protocol stack of the UE 650 includes a layer 1signaling transport layer, a Media Access Control (MAC) layer, a RadioLink Control (RLC) layer, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, and theNAS layer 665.

As described above, the underlying Access Layers 610 and “Transport IP”layer 620 provide the generic connectivity between the HNB 605 and theHNB-GW 615. The IPSec layer 625 provides encryption and data integrityfor communications and data that are passed using the upper layers. SCTP630 provides reliable transport for the RANAP User Adaptation (RUA)layer 635 between the HNB 605 and the HNB-GW 615.

The RANAP protocol is used for CS/PS signaling between the HNB 605 andthe CN 640. RANAP, as is well known in the art, is an establishedprotocol used for UMTS signaling between the CN and the UTRAN of alicensed wireless radio access network. Accordingly, the use of RANAPmessages within the control plane of the HNB system, allows for the HNBsystem to support many of the UTRAN functions in the HNB system. Thesefunctions include: Radio Access Bearer (RAB) management, Radio ResourceManagement (RRM), Iu link management, Iu U-plane (RNL) management,mobility management, security, service and network access, and Iucoordination.

The HNB-GW 615 relays the RANAP messages between the HNB 605 and the CN640. In some embodiments, the HNB-GW 615 terminates and re-originatessome RANAP messages. For example, the HNB-GW 615 terminates andre-originates connection-less RANAP messages.

To perform the transparent transfer of RANAP messages, the HNB controlplane protocol stacks of the HNB 605 and the HNB-GW 615 include the RUAlayer 635. The RUA layer 635 provides a lightweight mechanism totransport RANAP messages 660 and control functions between the HNB 605and the HNB-GW 615. Specifically, the RUA layer 635 encapsulates theRANAP messages 660 in an RUA layer header for transport between the HNB605 and the HNB-GW 615. Therefore, through the use of the RUA 635 layer,no changes are made to the RANAP message definitions. Rather, allnecessary changes are contained in the RUA header.

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to referencethe RUA layer with other terminologies such as RANAP Adaptation Layer(RAL) or RANAP Transport Adaptation (RTA), etc. However, the keyfunction of this adaptation layer is to provide the functionality, overthe Iuh interface, of transferring RANAP messages as defined in the 3GPPtechnical specification TS 25.413 entitled “UTRAN Iu interface RadioAccess Network Application Part (RANAP) signaling” which is incorporatedherein by reference, and will be referred to as TS 25.413.

Through the RUA header and the encapsulation of the RANAP message, theRUA adaptation layer of some embodiments enables: (1) transport of RANAPmessages using SCTP over the Iuh interface between the HNB and HNB-GW,(2) support for associating and identifying UE specific logicalconnections (i.e., identifying the RANAP messages belonging to aspecific UE via the concept of UE context identifiers), (3) support forrouting the establishment of a signaling connection to a CN node withina CN domain (i.e., support for Iu-flex at the HNB-GW), (4) support forindicating the cause for establishing the UE specific logical connection(e.g., for emergency session establishment, etc.), (5) providing amechanism to transparently relay the RANAP messages from the HNB to CNwithout the need to decode the encapsulated RANAP message, and (6)support for the indication of service domain (CS or PS) for the RANAPmessaging.

The RUA layer 635 minimizes the decoding and processing of RANAPmessages 660 at the HNB-GW 615. Specifically, the HNB-GW 615, in manyinstances, no longer must decode and process the RANAP message 660.Instead, the HNB-GW 615 processes information within the RUA headerinformation in order to determine a destination within the core networkto receive a RANAP message 660 sent from a UE operating from a HNBservice region communicatively coupled by the HNB-GW 615. The RUA layer635 also eliminates the need for the HNB-GW 615 to process and decodethe NAS layer 665.

In some embodiments, the RUA layer 635 does not duplicate existing RANAPprocedures. Accordingly, RUA procedures are minimized. As will bedescribed in further detail below, the HNB control plane protocolarchitecture of some embodiments simplifies context-ID allocation andassociated functional overhead.

The RUA 635 utilizes the same underlying transport (i.e., SCTPconnection) as HNBAP. It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art that it is also possible to use TCP as a reliable transportlayer instead of SCTP. The SCTP PPI value used for RUA transport iscoordinated between the HNB 605 and the HNB-GW 615 (e.g., the RUA PPIvalue should be registered with IANA).

In some embodiments, a dedicated SCTP stream (e.g., stream id 0 of theunderlying SCTP transport association) is used for the transport ofconnectionless RANAP messages 660 between the HNB 605 and the HNB-GW615. For the connection oriented messages, the number of SCTP streams tobe established at SCTP connection setup and the mapping of UEtransactions to the specific SCTP streams is an implementation choice.The use of UE Context-Id allows multiple UE transactions to bemultiplexed over the same SCTP stream.

The Inter-working Functionality (IWF) 645 in the HNB-GW 615 switches theRANAP messages 660 between the Iuh interface and the correspondingdomain specific (CS/PS) Iu interface. It should be noted that the IWF645 is a logical entity in the RUA protocol stack. As mentioned above,some RANAP messages 660 are terminated and re-originated in the HNB-GW615 (e.g., connection-less RANAP messages) and some are modified in theHNB-GW 615 to adapt to the underlying transport towards the CN 640(e.g., when using ATM interfaces towards the CN 640). Additionally, NASprotocol messages 655 (e.g., CC/MM/SMS, etc) are carried transparentlybetween the UE 650 and the CN 640.

In some embodiments, the relay of RANAP messages 660 between the HNB 605and the CN by the HNB-GW 615 is achieved using a direct transfermechanism over the Iuh interface. This direct transfer mechanisminvolves encapsulation of the RANAP messages 660 in a DIRECT TRANSFERmessage exchanged between the HNB 605 and HNB-GW 615 over the Iuhinterface. In some embodiments, this message is referred to as a RUADIRECT TRANSFER message. In some embodiments, this message is referredto as a HNBAP DIRECT TRANSFER message. In some embodiments, the directtransfer mechanism is used to relay messages from CBC (Iu-bc) (notshown) and SMLC (Iu-pc) (not shown) to HNB 605 and vice-versa via theHNB-GW 615.

The architecture of FIG. 6 also supports transfer of the RANAP “InitialUE Message” and support for Iu-flex. Iu-flex functionality is defined in3GPP TS 23.236, “Intra-Domain Connection of Radio Access Network (RAN)nodes to multiple Core Network (CN) nodes”, hereinafter, TS 23.236, withadditional functionality such as messaging, etc., described in TS25.331. Specifically, Iu-flex covers details for the Intra DomainConnection of RAN Nodes to Multiple CN Nodes for GSM and UMTS systems.The first RANAP message (i.e., the RANAP “Initial UE Message”) iscarried from the HNB 605 in the INITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER message over theIuh interface as is described below with reference to FIG. 7. TheINITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER message also carries information used to routethe establishment of a signaling connection from HNB-GW 615 to a CN nodewithin a CN domain (i.e. support for Iu-flex).

Many of the common or connection-less RANAP messages are terminated andprocessed in the HNB-GW 615. When there is a need to relay specificconnectionless message (e.g. Paging), then the DIRECT TRANSFER messageis used to relay the specific connection-less message.

In some embodiments, the direct transfer mechanism for relaying RANAPmessages provides a single protocol over the Iuh interface (i.e., cleanarchitecture) whereby a single interface between HNB and HNB-GWfunctional entity is used. The direct transfer mechanism of someembodiments eliminates changes to the RANAP specifications for use overthe Iuh interface. If RANAP were to be used directly over the Iuhinterface, then all the specifications which reference RANAP would needto be updated to describe the applicability of existing RANAP messagesbetween the two new nodes (e.g., HNB and the HNB-GW). In someembodiments, the direct transfer mechanism eliminates the need for“RNC-ID” and “Iu signaling connection identifier” attributes on a perHNB basis, carried in the RANAP messages. The “RNC-ID” and “Iu-signalingconnection identifier” carried in the downlink RANAP messages areprocessed by the HNB-GW and can be ignored by the HNB. Similarly, in theuplink RANAP messages, the usage of the RNC-ID and Iu signalingconnection identifier attributes can be implementation specific with noimpact on the Iuh interface. Additionally, by carrying the RANAPmessages in a container, the overhead (management and runtime) of theunderlying transport layers of RANAP such as SCCP/M3UA are eliminated aswell.

a. INITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER Message

In some embodiments, the HNB sends a message to the HNB-GW to transferthe RANAP “Initial UE Message” from the HNB to the indicated corenetwork domain. Specifically, the message explicitly indicates the startof a communication session and the message contains parameters used toroute the establishment of a signaling connection from the HNB-GW to aCN node within a CN domain when no signaling connection exists

In some embodiments, this message is an INITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER message.FIG. 7 illustrates INITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER message content, in someembodiments. The INITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER message includes the followinginformation elements (IEs): length indicator, protocol discriminator,message identity, CN Domain Identity, Intra Domain Non Access Stratum(NAS) Node Selector (IDNNS), and an encapsulated RANAP message. The CNDomain Identity information element indicates the CN domain with whichto establish the signaling connection. The IDNNS information element isused by the HNB-GW to route the establishment of a signaling connectionto a core network node within the indicated core network domain. Byusing this explicit message, the HNB-GW is explicitly notified ofimpending signaling connection without having to process the contents ofthe message.

In FIGS. 7-9, the presence field indicates whether the informationelement is (1) mandatory (M) where the message is erroneous if themandatory information element is missing, (2) conditional (C) where thepresence of the information element depends on a value of a differentinformation element, or (3) optional (O) where the presence of theinformation element is the choice of the sender. Additionally, theformat field indicates how the message is formatted. Type only (T) orType and value (TV) indicates that the information element is of fixedlength and an information element identifier is included. Value only (V)indicates that the information element is of fixed length but noinformation element identifier is included. Length and value (LV)indicates that the information element is of variable length, aninformation element identifier is not included, and a length indicatoris included. Type, length, and value (TLV) indicates that theinformation element is of variable length and that an informationelement identifier and a length indicator are included.

b. UPLINK DIRECT TRANSFER Message

In some embodiments, the HNB sends a message to the HNB-GW to transfer asubsequent (i.e., other than the initial RANAP message) RANAP messagefrom the HNB to the indicated core network domain. In some embodiments,this message is an UPLINK DIRECT TRANSFER message. FIG. 8 illustrates anUPLINK DIRECT TRANSFER message content, in some embodiments. As shown,the UPLINK DIRECT TRANSFER message includes a length indicator, protocoldiscriminator, message identity, CN Domain Identity, and RANAP messageinformation elements.

c. DOWNLINK DIRECT TRANSFER Message

In some embodiments, the HNB-GW sends a message to the HNB to transfer aRANAP message from the indicated core network domain to the HNB. In someembodiments, this message is a DOWNLINK DIRECT TRANSFER message. FIG. 9illustrates a DOWNLINK DIRECT TRANSFER message content, in someembodiments. As shown, the DOWNLINK DIRECT TRANSFER message includes alength indicator, protocol discriminator, message identity, CN DomainIdentity, and RANAP message information elements.

In some embodiments, functionalities of the DOWNLINK DIRECT TRANSFERmessage and the UPLINK DIRECT TRANSFER message are carried by onemessage. In some embodiments, this message is referred to as a DIRECTTRANSFER message.

It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that anynomenclature may be used to represent the messages implemented by someembodiments and described above with reference to FIGS. 7-9. Forexample, in some embodiments, the INITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER message isreferred to as a CONNECT message.

d. Adaptation Layer

As noted above, the transfer mechanism(s) involves encapsulation of theRANAP messages with additional header information. This additionalheader provides sufficient information to the HNB and HNB-GW fordistinguishing and associating specific UE messages. The additionalheader also provides information used to route the establishment of asignaling connection from HNB-GW to a CN node within a CN domain (i.e.support for Iu-flex).

FIG. 10 illustrates an applicable Protocol Data Unit (PDU) structure forthe transport of RANAP, in some embodiments. As shown, the PDU 1000includes an Iuh RANAP Header 1005 (i.e. the adaptation layer) and theRANAP Message 1010 (the latter ASN.1 formatted per TS 25.413). The PDUformats described are not indicative of particular byte ordering (whichmay vary based on the underlying transport (e.g., word-aligned for SCTPbased transport)), but rather indicate the information included forthose particular PDUs. The details for the adaptation layer (i.e., IuhRANAP header 1005) can have various implementations based on themechanism utilized to negotiate the header information.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative PDU/RUA Adaptation Layer Structure ofsome embodiments. As shown, the PDU 1100 includes the RUA Header 1105and the Payload Data 1110 where the latter includes either the RANAPMessage to be transferred or an error indication message.

The RUA header 1105 provides sufficient information for the HNB andHNB-GW to distinguish and associate messages to a specific UE. The RUAheader 1105 also provides information used to route the establishment ofa signaling connection from the HNB-GW to a CN node within a CN domain(i.e. support for Iu-flex). The HNB-GW performs the NAS Node SelectionFunction (NNSF) as described in the 3GPP technical specification TS23.236 entitled “Intra-domain connection of Radio Access Network (RAN)nodes to multiple Core Network (CN) nodes”, hereinafter incorporated byreference and referred to as TS 23.236. and utilizes the Intra DomainNAS Node Selector (IDNNS) information provided in the adaptation layer.The adaptation layer also provides a means for the HNB or HNB-GW toindicate abnormal conditions during message exchange.

Some embodiments transport RANAP messages over the Iuh interface via:(1) RANAP over SCCP; (2) RANAP over SCTP with UEs identified by use ofPPI; and, (3) RANAP over SCTP with an adaptation layer. However, itshould be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that variousother mechanisms may be used by some embodiments to transport RANAPmessages over the Iuh interface.

i. RUA Header Structure

FIG. 12 illustrates the details of the RUA Header structure, in someembodiments. This figure includes the PDU 1200 with the following fields(1) Version 1205, (2) Payload Type 1210, (3) Reserved 1215, (4) CNDomain ID 1220, (5) UE Context ID 1225, (6) RANAP Procedure Code 1230,(7) Initial UE Message Cause 1235, (8) Initial UE Message IDNNS 1240,and (9) Payload Data 1245.

Version 1205 is 8 bits in some embodiments and identifies the version ofthe RUA header. Payload Type 1210 is 8 bits in some embodiments, (withvalues that can range from 0-255) and identifies the type of informationcontained in the Payload Data 1245. The following table gives samplevalues and corresponding descriptions in some embodiments.

TABLE 1 Sample Payload Type Values and Corresponding DescriptionsPayload Type Description References 0 RANAP, RANAP message TS 25.413 1Error Indication Shown in FIG. 13 2-255 Reserved

Reserved field 1215 is 16 bits in some embodiments, and is used as aplaceholder here. UE Context ID 1225 is 24 bits in some embodiments, andindicates the locally unique identifier allocated by the HNB-GW for aparticular UE. CN Domain ID 1220 is 8 bits in some embodiments andindicates “CS Domain” or “PS Domain”. RANAP Procedure Code 1230 is 8bits in some embodiments, and is conditionally present if the PayloadType 1210 is set to RANAP and contains the Procedure Code value from TS25.413. Initial UE Message IDNNS 1240 is 16 bits in some embodiments,and is conditionally present if the Payload Type 1210 is set to RANAP.Initial UE Message Cause 1235 is 8 bits in some embodiments, and isconditionally present if the Payload Type 1210 is set to RANAP. PayloadData 1245 is of a variable length in some embodiments, and indicates theactual information to be transferred in the PDU 1200. The usage andformat of this field is dependent on the Payload Type 1210. If thePayload Type 1210 is RANAP, then the Payload Data 1245 contains a RANAPmessage which is ASN.1 formatted per TS 25.413.

FIG. 13 illustrates a PDU Error Indication message, in some embodiments.This Error Indication message 1300 may be used by either HNB or HNB-GWto indicate abnormal conditions during message exchanges. Error Cause1305 is 8 bits in some embodiments, and identifies the cause for theerror indication message. In some embodiments, the following valuescould be defined: 1=Unknown UE Context Identifier; 2=SCCP ConnectionEstablishment Failed; other values could be assigned later.

FIG. 14 illustrates a RANAP message transfer using adaptation layer, insome embodiments. As shown, all message exchanges between the HNB andthe HNB-GW contain the RUA header where the RUA header includes variousparameters in addition to an encapsulated RANAP message that is eitherreceived from the UE or from the MSC of the CN.

FIG. 15 illustrates handling of abnormal conditions over the Iuhinterface, in some embodiments. In this figure, the RUA header is usedby the HNB-GW to notify (at step 6) the HNB of a failure to establish aSCCP connection. As a result, the RRC connection between the HNB and theUE is released (at step 7).

ii. Mechanisms for Signaling the Adaptation Layer Information

In some embodiments, UE Context Identifiers (Ids) are allocated so as touniquely identify the UE over the Iuh interface within the HNB andHNB-GW. When the HNB receives the UE Context Id (as allocated by theHNB-GW) it stores it for the duration of the UE-associated logical Iuhconnection for this UE. Once known to the HNB and HNB-GW, thisinformation is included in all the UE associated signaling (for uplinkas well as downlink direction). In some embodiments, the UE contextidentifiers are provided in the Iuh header (i.e. adaptation layer).However, there can be various mechanisms for indicating this informationwithin the Iuh header.

Some embodiments utilize the HNBAP procedures for explicit setup andrelease of the UE context identifiers while some other embodimentsutilize the RANAP procedures for setup and release of the UE contextidentifiers utilizing either (a) an implicit mechanism using existingRANAP procedures with additional header information, or (b) an explicitmechanism using new RANAP procedures. Some embodiments use an adaptationlayer protocol (such as. RANAP-H) for transporting RANAP over the Iuhinterface via explicit mechanisms for setup and release. An implicitmechanism using existing RANAP procedures with additional headerinformation is utilized under normal conditions. For abnormal conditions(such as errors in the HNB or HNB-GW), an explicit release of UE contextidentifiers can be indicated via the use of HNBAP or RANAP or RANAP-Hprotocols.

3. Iu-cs Transport Network Control Plane Architecture

Some embodiments communicatively couple the HNB-GW to the CN over an ATMbased Iu-cs interface. Separate transport network control signaling isused in some such embodiments. FIG. 16 illustrates the CS domaintransport network control signaling (using Access Link ControlApplication Part (ALCAP)) over the ATM-based Iu-cs interface inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention. Atop the physicallayer is the ATM layer 1605. The Service Specific Connection OrientedProtocol (SSCOP) layer 1610 is responsible for providing mechanisms forthe establishment, release and monitoring of signaling informationexchanged between peer signaling entities. The service-specificcoordination function Network to Node Interface (SSCF-NNI) layer 1615receives the SS7 signaling of a Layer 3 and maps it to the SSCOP, andvice versa. The SSCF-NNI performs coordination between the higher andthe lower layers. Within UTRAN, Message Transfer Part Level 3 forBroadband (MTP3b) layer 1620 has the higher Layer 3, which requiresservice from the SSCOP-NNI. The control signaling further includes ATMAdaption Layer 2 (AAL2) signaling transport 1625 conversionfunctionality and connection signaling layers 1630. These protocollayers formulate ALCAP signaling protocol messages that are exchangedbetween the HNB-GW and MSC. Additional details on transport networkcontrol signaling may be found in 3GPP technical specification TS25.414, “UTRAN Iu Interface Data Transport and Transport Signaling”,section 5.2.2, which is incorporated herein by reference.

4. HNB Circuit Switched (CS) Domain—User Plane Architecture

FIG. 17 illustrates the protocol architecture in support of the CSdomain user plane over the Iuh interface in accordance with someembodiments of the invention. This figure includes (1) HNB 1705, (2) UE1710, (3) HNB-GW 1715, (4) MSC 1720, and (5) CS user plane protocolstacks for each of the devices.

The user plane of the HNB 1705 and HNB-GW 1715 includes the access,transport IP, IPSec, and remote IP layers described above with referenceto FIG. 5. The protocol stacks include the User Datagram Protocol (UDP)layer 1730 to perform connectionless transfer of Real-Time Protocol(RTP) layer 1735 messages. The HNB 1705 also includes an Iu-UP protocollayer 1725 that operates directly with the MSC 1720 of the CN.

The Iu-UP 1725 protocol transports CS user data across the Iuh and Iu-csinterfaces. The HNB-GW 1715 provides either a transport layer conversionbetween IP (towards the HNB 1705) and ATM (towards the MSC 1720) ortransport layer routing when IP transport is used on Iuh as well as theIu-cs interfaces. In this manner, CS user data is carried transparentlybetween the UE 1710 and the MSC 1720. In some embodiments, for examplewhen IP transport is used on Iu-cs interface, the RTP 1735 and the UDPlayers 1730 operate directly between the HNB and the MSC (not shown).

5. HNB Packet Switched (PS) Domain—User Plane Architecture

FIG. 18 illustrates the PS Domain User Plane Protocol Architecture inaccordance with some embodiments. This figure includes (1) HNB 1805, (2)UE 1810, (3) HNB-GW 1815, (4) SGSN 1825, and (5) PS user plane protocolstacks for each of the devices.

The user plane of the HNB 1805 and HNB-GW 1815 includes the accesstransport IP, IPSec, and remote IP layers described above with referenceto FIG. 5. The protocol stack of the HNB 1805 also includes the UserDatagram Protocol (UDP) layer 1835 to perform connectionless transfer ofGPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) User (GTP-U) data messages.

The GTP-U protocol 1830 operates between the HNB 1805 and the SGSN 1825,transporting the PS user data across the Iuh and Iu-ps interfaces. TheHNB-GW 1815 provides either a transport layer conversion between IP(towards the HNB 1805) and ATM (towards the CN) or transport layerrouting when IP transport is used on Iuh as well as the Iu-psinterfaces. PS user data is carried transparently between the UE 1810and CN (SGSN 1825/GGSN). In an alternate embodiment (not shown in theFIG. 18), the GTP-U protocol from the HNB and the SGSN terminates in theHNB-GW and the HNB-GW provides interworking of GTP-U protocol betweenthe Iuh and Iu-cs interface.

B. System Selection and Initialization

1. System Selection

A key feature of the HNB system is the seamless integration of the HNBfunctionality to existing core networks used by licensed wirelessnetworks and also the co-existence of the HNB system with the legacycore network (e.g., UMTS and GSM) within the same or different PublicLand Mobile Network (PLMN).

As noted above, the HNB-GW seamlessly integrates with the core networkby emulating RNC like functions and interfaces. Similarly, the HNBseamlessly integrates with the UEs that operate across the variouslicensed wireless networks by emulating the Node-B like functions.Standard UMTS UEs will thus be able to utilize both access options(Node-Bs of the licensed wireless network or HNBs of the HNB system)whichever is more optimal in the specific scenario. No change isrequired to the PLMN selection procedures in the NAS layers (MM andabove) in the UE or to the standard cell selection mechanism of the UE.Accordingly, the HNB system supports UE rove-in for a UE that roves intoa HNB service region from a licensed wireless network service region andUE rove-out for a UE that roves out of a HNB service region into alicensed wireless network service region.

To provide such rove-in and rove-out functionality, the HNB ManagementSystem of some embodiments provides the HNB with radio parameters duringthe service activation or provisioning update. These radio parametersinclude the operating UARFCN (UMTS Absolute Radio Frequency ChannelNumber) and a list of primary scrambling codes for the HNB. In someembodiments, the provisioning parameters also include the list ofUARFCNs/scrambling codes (SCs) associated with the neighboring macrocells of the licensed wireless network.

The HNB then performs a neighborhood scan for the existence of macrocoverage using the macro UARFCN information. If multiple macro networkcells are detected in the HNB scan, the HNB selects the best suitablemacro cell for the purpose of reporting it to the Serving HNB-GW duringHNB registration. The HNB also stores the macro cell list to be providedas a neighbor list for the camping UEs. The HNB scans the neighborhoodfor the existence of other HNBs within the same PLMN. The HNB thenselects an unused {UARFCN, SC} pair from the provisioned list ofavailable pairs such that the selected {UARFCN, SC} does not conflictwith any neighboring HNB's {UARFCN, SC} combination.

In some embodiments, the HNB attempts to register with the ServingHNB-GW and includes information about the selected macro cell and otherneighboring HNBs. The Serving HNB-GW uses information provided duringregistration to assign network operating parameters for the registeringHNB such as the LAI, 3 G cell-id, service area, etc.

In some embodiments, the Serving HNB-GW returns the network operatingparameters to the registering HNB using the register accept message. Inan alternate embodiment, some of the operating parameters are providedby the HNB management system using the TR-069 mechanisms. The HNB uses acombination of information obtained through the initial provisioning andregistration and broadcasts appropriate system information to UEs to beable to select HNB service and camp on the HNB.

The macro network RNCs are provisioned with the list of {UARFCN, SC}associated with HNB neighbors. Since the HNB network has to be able toscale to millions of HNBs and the deployment location cannot becontrolled, the macro network RNCs are provisioned with a list of 5-10{UARFCN, SC} combinations corresponding to the neighboring HNBs. As aresult of the limitations associated with the neighbor list provisioningon the macro RNC, the HNB of some embodiments selects one of the 5-10provisioned {UARFC, SC} pairs for its operation such that no twoneighboring HNBs (determined via HNBs' scan) re-use the same pair forits operation. The macro RNC provides the HNB neighbor list informationto the UEs camped on the macro network and using the specific RNC. Thisresults in the UEs making periodic measurements on the HNB neighborlist.

As the UE comes within the coverage area of the HNB and its signal levelbecomes stronger, the UE selects the HNB. In some embodiments, the UEcell-reselection (i.e., rove-in to HNB cell) can be enhanced via threepossible mechanisms: (a) the HNB cell can be in a different HPLMN(equivalent PLMN list) and be selected via preferred equivalent PLMNselection. This assumes that the UE's current camped macro cell is notin the equivalent PLMN list, (b) the HNB will broadcast systeminformation (such as Qqualmin and Qrxlevmin) so that UE prefers the HNBcell in the presence of other macro cell coverage, and (c) forced cellreselection using Hierarchical Cell Selection (HCS). Upon cellreselection and camping on the HNB cell, the UE initiates a locationupdate since the HNB LAI is different than the LAI of the previouslycamped macro cell.

2. System Initialization Overview

FIG. 19 illustrates an overview of HNB initialization, discovery, andregistration in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Thedetails for the specific procedures such as discovery and registrationare described in subsequent sections.

This message exchange for system initialization occurs when a HNB 1905is initially powered on (at step 1). The HNB 1905 then attempts toidentify a serving HNB-GW with which to connect. To do so, the HNB 1905first attempts to connect to a provisioning Security Gateway (SeGW)1915. In some embodiments, the provisioning SeGW is a default gateway.The HNB 1905 submits (at step 2 a) a Domain Name System (DNS) querycontaining a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the provisioning SeGW1915. The DNS 1910 responds (at step 2 b) with the identificationinformation for the provisioning SeGW 1915. In some embodiments, the DNS1910 responds with the IP address of the provisioning SeGW 1915.

The HNB 1905 connects to the provisioning SeGW 1915 by firstestablishing (at step 3) a secure tunnel with the provisioning SeGW1915. The HNB 1905 then performs (at step 4) an initialization procedurethat includes retrieving device configuration (e.g., radioconfiguration). The HNB 1905 also performs (at step 5) a radio scan ofneighboring HNBs and macro cell coverage areas.

The HNB 1905 performs (at step 6 a) a second DNS query containing a FQDNof the provisioning HNB-GW 1920. The DNS response (at step 6 b)identifies the IP address of the provisioning HNB-GW 1920. The HNB 1905then establishes (at step 7) a reliable transport session, such as aSCTP session, with the provisioning HNB-GW 1920. Once established, theHNB 1905 performs (at step 8) a discovery procedure to identify the HNBserving system that is associated with the HNB 1905. Specifically, theHNB 1905 sends (at step 8 a) a discovery request message to theprovisioning HNB-GW 1920. The discovery request message includeslocation information of the HNB 1905 and an identity of the HNB 1905.From the supplied location information and identification information,the provisioning HNB-GW 1920 identifies the serving system for the HNB1905. The HNB 1905 then receives (at step 8 b) from the provisioningHNB-GW 1920 a discovery access message containing the serving HNB-GWinformation. The HNB 1905 stores (at step 9) the received serving HNB-GWinformation. In some embodiments, the function of discovery is doneusing the HNB management system.

In some embodiments, the received serving HNB-GW information includes aFQDN of the serving SeGW 1925. Accordingly, the HNB 1905 performs (atstep 10) a DNS query with the serving SeGW FQDN information. The HNB1905 then receives (at step 11) an IP address of the serving SeGW 1925in the DNS response.

The HNB 1905 establishes a secure tunnel (at step 11) with the servingSeGW 1925 and submits (at step 12) a DNS query with the FQDN of theserving HNB-GW 1930. In the DNS response, the HNB 1905 receives the IPaddress of the serving HNB-GW 1930. At this stage, the HNB 1905 hasidentified the HNB-GW that is to communicatively couple the servingregion of the HNB 1905 to the core network. Some embodiments perform thediscovery procedure to locate the HNB-GW that is closest to the locationof the HNB 1905 whereby there is less latency in the message exchangesbetween the HNB 1905 and the HNB-GW. Some embodiments perform thediscovery procedure in order to perform load balancing on the HNB-GWs ofthe HNB system such that no single HNB-GW is overwhelmed by requestsfrom the several HNBs that are communicatively coupled to thatparticular HNB-GW.

The HNB 1905 establishes (at step 13) a reliable transport session withthe serving HNB-GW 1930. The HNB 1905 performs (at step 14) aregistration procedure in order to gain access to the services of theHNB system through the serving HNB-GW 1930. When registration issuccessfully accomplished, the HNB 1905 is ready to offer service to anyUEs that operate within the service region of the HNB 1905.

C. Resource Management

1. States of the HNBAP Sub-Layer

FIG. 20 illustrates the possible states for the HNBAP sub-layer in theHNB of some embodiments. The HNBAP sub-layer in the HNB can be in one oftwo states. In some embodiments, the HNBAP-DEREGISTERED 2005 stateidentifies a device that has deregistered, lost its IPSec connection, orhas roved out of the service region of the HNB. The HNBAP-REGISTERED2010 state identifies a device that has successfully registered with theHNB system. The HNB contains a HNBAP sub-layer for each device itregisters. Based on the type of device, the functionality of the HNBAPsub-layer can vary.

a. HNBAP Sub-Layer for Device Type HNB

For the HNB device type, the HNBAP sub-layer is in theHNBAP-DEREGISTERED state upon power-up of the HNB. In this state, theHNB has not registered successfully with the HNB-GW. The HNB mayinitiate the Registration procedure when in the HNBAP-DEREGISTEREDstate. In some embodiments, the HNB returns to HNBAP-DEREGISTERED stateon loss of SCTP or IPSec connection or on execution of theDe-registration procedure. Upon transition to HNBAP-DEREGISTERED state,the HNB must trigger an implicit deregistration for all the UEscurrently camped on the HNB and cease transmitting.

In the HNBAP-REGISTERED state, the HNB is registered with the ServingHNB-GW. The HNB has an IPSec tunnel and an SCTP connection establishedto the Serving HNB-GW through which the HNB may exchange HNBAP signalingmessages with the HNB-GW. While the HNB remains in the HNBAP-REGISTEREDstate, it performs application level keep-alive with the HNB-GW.

b. HNBAP Sub-Layer for Device Type UE

For the UE device type, the HNBAP sub-layer in the HNB (for each UE) isin the HNBAP-DEREGISTERED state upon UE rove-in. In this state, the UEhas not been registered successfully (by the HNB) with the HNB-GW. TheHNB initiates the Registration procedure when UE specific HNBAPsub-layer is in the HNBAP-DEREGISTERED state. The HNBAP sub-layerreturns to the HNBAP-DEREGISTERED state on loss of SCTP or IPSecconnection or on execution of the de-registration procedure. Upon lossof SCTP connection, HNB may attempt to re-establish the correspondingSCTP session and perform the synchronization procedure. A failure tosuccessfully re-establish the SCTP session will result in the HNBAPlayer transitioning to HNBAP-DEREGISTERED state. The HNBAP sub-layer forthe UE can also transition to the HNBAP-DEREGISTERED state if thecorresponding HNBAP sub-layer for the HNB device is inHNBAP-DEREGSITERED state.

In the HNBAP-REGISTERED state, the UE has been registered successfully(by the HNB) with the Serving HNB-GW. The HNB has a shared IPSec tunneland an SCTP connection established to the Serving HNB-GW through whichthe HNB exchanges HNBAP and/or RANAP signaling messages (for eachregistered UE) with the HNB-GW.

In the HNBAP-REGISTERED state, the UE is camped on the HNB and may beidle, or the UE may be active in the HNB (e.g., a UTRAN RRC connectionmay be established).

2. RUA (RANAP User Adaption) Layer

The RANAP protocol as described above with reference to FIG. 6 is usedby the HNB for CS and PS services resource management. In someembodiments, an adaptation layer is used to allow RANAP messages to betransported over the Iuh interface using SCTP. In some embodiments, thetransport of RANAP using the adaptation layer utilizes a UE contextidentifier, UE-associated signaling, UE-associated logical Iuhconnection, and/or RANAP procedure code.

In some embodiments, the HNB-GW allocates the UE context identifier toeach particular UE during registration of the particular UE (usingHNBAP). The UE context identifier uniquely identifies the UE over theIuh interface within the HNB-GW for a particular domain. This impliesthat for a particular UE, the same context identifier can be used acrosstwo different service domains (i.e. CS and PS). When the HNB receivesthe UE context identifier from the HNB-GW, the HNB stores it for theduration of the UE registration. Once known to the HNB, this informationis included in all the UE associated signaling (for uplink as well asdownlink directions). Additionally, the UE context identifier is alsoutilized by the HNB and HNB-GW as the “Iu Signaling ConnectionIdentifier” attributes value for use in the RANAP messages.

In addition to performing functions such as network-based access controland paging filtering, the UE registration is also utilized to exchangethe context identifier for a given UE as shown in FIG. 21. Specifically,FIG. 21 illustrates a message exchange of some embodiments for settingup UE context identifiers via UE registration.

In some embodiments, the HNB-GW 2115 allocates a unique UE contextidentifier to each UE during the UE registration procedure. In someembodiments, the UE registration procedure illustrated in FIG. 21 istriggered by the HNB 2105 upon detecting camping of a given UE 2110 onthat particular HNB 2105. In some embodiments, the UE registrationprocedure is triggered upon an initial NAS transaction (e.g., LAU orpaging response). In the Example of FIG. 21, this occurs when the UE2110 establishes (at step 1 a) a RRC connection with the HNB 2105 andsends (at step 1 b) for example, a location update request NAS messagethat includes the UE identity. In some embodiments, the UE identity isan International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the UE 2110. Insome other embodiments, the UE identity is a Temporary Mobile SubscriberIdentity (TMSI) that was assigned for temporarily identifying the UE2110. In still some other embodiments, the UE identity is aPacket-Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (P-TMSI or PTMSI). It shouldbe apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that these terms (e.g.,IMSI, TMSI, and P-TMSI) may be used interchangeably throughout thisdocument to refer to an identity of a particular UE. Therefore, in manyinstances the term IMSI is used. However, the terms TMSI or P-TMSI maysimilarly be used in such instances.

In some embodiments, the HNB 2105 requests (at step 1 c) additionalidentification information from the UE 2110 that is provided by the UE2110 at step 1 d. The HNB 2105 then initiates the UE registrationprocedure by sending (at step 2) a register request message to theHNB-GW 2115 with the UE IMSI. In some embodiments, the register requestmessage also includes the HNB identity. When UE registration issuccessful, the HNB-GW 2115 responds (at step 3) with a register acceptmessage that includes the uniquely assigned UE context identifier. Thecontext identifier provides a unique handle allocated and authorized bythe HNB-GW 2115 to identify transactions of the UE 2105. The contextidentifier is then used for all UE-specific transactions (such as relayof UE associated RANAP messages). The lifetime of the UE contextidentifiers is the entire duration of the UE registration and the UEcontext identifier is released only at the time of the corresponding UEderegistration. The UE Context Id value is also used as the “IuSignaling Connection Identifier” attribute value for use in the RANAPmessages (for example, in the “Initial UE Message” RANAP message). Insome embodiments, the context associated with a UE includes states andother information that the HNB-GW keeps for each UE which issuccessfully registered.

In some embodiments, UE-associated signaling occurs when RANAP messagesassociated with a given UE are identified via a UE-associated logicalIuh connection between HNB and HNB-GW. In some embodiments, theUE-associated logical Iuh connection uses the UE context identifier. Fora received UE associated RANAP message, both the HNB-GW and HNB identifythe associated UE based on the UE context identifier.

In some embodiments, the RANAP procedure code is used within theadaptation layer. The RANAP procedure code in the adaptation layerprovides a mechanism for the HNB-GW to relay the RANAP messagestransparently towards the CN without needing to decode the encapsulatedRANAP message. In an alternate embodiment, RANAP procedure code may beused directly from the encapsulated RANAP message, without needing todecode the entire RANAP message since the procedure code is at a fixedlocation of every encapsulated RANAP message.

D. Alternative Embodiments Using RANAP Procedures for Setup and Releaseof the UE Context Identifiers

In some embodiments, the PDU structure for carrying the RANAP messagesis the same as the description above for adaptation layers (i.e., themessage is comprised of Iuh RANAP Header and RANAP messages). FIG. 22illustrates the fields of an Iuh RANAP Header, in some embodiments. Asshown, the Iuh RANAP Header includes the following fields: (1) length2205, (2) Iuh RANAP Header Version 2210, (3) RANAP Procedure Code 2215containing the Procedure Code value from TS 25.413, (4) HNB Context Id2220, (5) HNB-GW Context Id 2225, (6) CN Domain ID 2230, (7) Initial UEMessage Cause 2235, and (8) Initial UE Message IDNNS 2240, including ifRANAP Procedure Code 2215 indicates Initial UE Message. In someembodiments, the length field 2205 indicates the length of the Iuh RANAPHeader and the length of the RANAP Message, but excludes the lengthfield. In some embodiments, the CN Domain ID 2230 indicates ‘CS Domain’,‘PS Domain’, ‘Both CS Domain and PS Domain’ or ‘Not Domain Specific’. Insome embodiments, the Initial UE Message Cause 2235 is included when theRANAP Procedure Code indicates Initial UE Message and/or if Initial UEMessage is for ‘Emergency Call’ purposes (or other cause values).

This mechanism relies on existing RANAP procedures for exchanging the UEcontext identifiers between the HNB and HNB-GW. The HNB indicates thelocally allocated UE context Id (via the Iuh header) to the HNB-GW inthe first RANAP message for a given UE (i.e., RANAP Initial UE Message).The HNB-GW indicates the locally allocated UE context Id to the HNB inthe first downlink RANAP message for that particular UE from the HNB-GWto the HNB. Subsequent RANAP messages (in the uplink and downlinkdirection) carry both the UE context identifiers of the HNB and HNB-GW.

In some embodiments, the release of these UE context identifiers (andassociated resources) is triggered by the final RANAP message for aparticular UE. For example, the Iu Release Complete message from the HNBis an indication for the HNB and the HNB-GW to release the associated UEcontext identifiers.

1. Explicit Mechanism Using New RANAP Procedures

This mechanism is similar to the mechanism as described in subsection“Mechanisms for Signaling the Adaptation Layer Information”. However,some embodiments utilize new RANAP procedures instead of HNBAP for thesetup and release of UE context identifiers.

E. Use of an Adaptation Layer Protocol (such as RANAP-H)

In some embodiments, a new protocol (RANAP-H) is defined for thetransport of RANAP over the Iuh interface. The RANAP-H protocol is usedto transport the RANAP message along with UE context identifiers. ARANAP-H PDU may have a variable length in some embodiments. FIG. 23illustrates a RANAP-H PDU in some embodiments. As shown, the RANAP-H PDU2300, includes (1) Payload Type 2310, (2) Flags 2315, (3) Length 2320,(4) HNB Context ID 2325, (5) HNB-GW Context ID 2330, and (6) PayloadData 2305.

In some embodiments, the Payload Type 2310 may be 8 bits (with valuesranging from 0-255) and identifies the type of information contained inthe Payload data 2305. The value of 255 is reserved for future use as anextension field, in some embodiments. The total length of a chunk mustbe a multiple of 4 bytes. If the length of the chunk is not a multipleof 4 bytes, the sender pads the chunk with all zero bytes and thispadding is not included in the chunk length field. The sender shouldnever pad with more than 3 bytes. The receiver ignores the paddingbytes.

The following table describes some of the types of information (PayloadTypes 2310) that can be sent through a RANAP-H PDU 2300:

TABLE 2 Payload Types and Descriptions Payload type DescriptionReferences 0 RANAP, RANAP message. TS 25.413 1 CCREQ, Context CreateRequest. FIG. 24 2 CCACK, Context Create Acknowledgement. 3 CRCMD,Context Release Command. 4 CRCMP, Context Release Complete. 5 ERROR,Operation Error. 6-255 Reserved

Flags 2315 are 8 bits in some embodiments. The usage of these bitsdepends on the payload type as given by the Payload type 2310. Unlessotherwise specified, they are set to zero on transmit and are ignored onreceipt. Length 2320 is 16 bits in some embodiments, and is the size ofthe PDU 2300 in bytes including the Payload Type 2310, Flags 2315,Length 2320, and Payload Data 2305 fields. Therefore, if the PayloadData field 2305 is zero-length, the Length field 2320 will be set to 8.The HNB Context ID 2325 is 16 bits in some embodiments and indicates thelocally unique identifier allocated by the HNB for a particular UE. TheHNB-GW Context ID 2330 is 16 bits in some embodiments and indicates thelocally unique identifier allocated by the HNB-GW for a particular UE.The Payload Data 2305 is a variable length in some embodiments, and isthe actual information to be transferred in the PDU 2300. The usage andformat of this field is dependent on the Payload type 2310.

FIG. 24 illustrates a Context Create Request (CCREQ) message, in someembodiments. As shown, the CCREQ 2400 is made up of the CN Domain ID2405, the CCREQ Reason 2410, and the IDNNS 2415. In some embodiments,the Context Create Acknowledge (CCACK), Context Release Command (CRCMD),and Context Release Complete (CRCMP) messages do not have any payloaddata.

F. Use of HNBAP Procedures for Explicit Setup and Release of the UEContext Identifiers

Alternative embodiments utilize the HNBAP protocol for exchanging theIuh header information. FIG. 25 illustrates an Iuh RANAP header, in someembodiments. As shown, the Iuh RANAP Header includes the followingfields: length 2505, RANAP Procedure Code 2510, HNB Context Id 2515; andHNB-GW Context Id 2520. In some embodiments, the length field 2505indicates the length of the Iuh RANAP Header in addition to the lengthof the RANAP Message, but excluding the length field. The RANAPProcedure Code 2510 contains the Procedure Code value from TS 25.413.

FIG. 26 illustrates the structure of a PDU used for transferring anHNBAP message, in some embodiments. As shown, the PDU has the followingfields: length 2605, Message Type 2610, and a list of informationelements 2615. In some embodiments, the length 2605 indicates the lengthof the HNBAP Header plus the length of the HNBAP Message Body, butexcludes the length field. In some embodiments, the HNBAP Message Type2610 contains the HNBAP Message Type value.

1. Create UE Context Request

In some embodiments, the HNBAP Create UE Context Request message is usedto indicate the HNB UE Context Id to the HNB-GW and also to provideinformation to the HNB-GW for support of the Iu-flex functionality. FIG.27 illustrates a Create UE Context Request going from the HNB to theHNB-GW, in some embodiments. As shown, the message includes thefollowing IEs: (1) the HNB Context ID 2705, (2) the CN Domain ID 2710,indicating ‘CS Domain’, ‘PS Domain’, ‘Both CS Domain and PS Domain’ or‘Not Domain Specific’, (3) the Context Request Cause 2715, indicating ifrequest is for “Emergency Call” purposes (or other cause values), and(4) the IDNNS 2720.

2. Create UE Context Accept

The HNBAP Create UE Context Accept message is used by the HNB-GW toindicate successful allocation of the corresponding UE context Id by theHNB-GW. FIG. 28 illustrates a Create UE Context Accept message goingfrom the HNB-GW to the HNB, in some embodiments. As shown, the messageincludes the following IEs: the HNB UE Context ID 2805; and the HNB-GWContext ID 2810. Accordingly, the Create UE Context Accept messagecontains the allocated UE Context ID values. Additionally, the messagecontains the HNB-GW Context ID 2810. In some embodiments, the HNB-GWContext ID 2810 is allocated so as to uniquely identify the UE over theIuh interface within the HNB-GW.

3. Release UE Context

The HNBAP Release UE Context Command message is used by either the HNBor HNB-GW to release context identifiers for a particular UE. FIG. 29illustrates a Release UE Context message going from either the HNB-GW tothe HNB or the HNB to the HNB-GW, in some embodiments. As shown, themessage includes the following IEs: the HNB Context ID 2905 and theHNB-GW Context ID 2910.

4. Release UE Context Complete

The HNBAP Release UE Context Complete message is used to acknowledgesuccessful release of the associated UE context identifiers. FIG. 30illustrates a Release UE Context Complete message going from either theHNB-GW to the HNB or the HNB to the HNB-GW, in some embodiments. Asshown, the message includes the following IEs: the HNB Context ID 3005and the HNB-GW Context ID 3010.

III. MOBILITY MANAGEMENT A. UE Addressing

The IMSI associated with the (U)SIM in the UE identifier is provided bythe HNB to the HNB-GW when it registers a specific UE attempting to campon the HNB. The HNB-GW maintains a record for each registered UE. Forexample, IMSI is used by the HNB-GW to find the appropriate UE recordwhen the HNB-GW receives a RANAP PAGING message.

B. HNB Addressing

In some embodiments, the HNB is addressed within the HNB system by oneor more of the following addressing parameters: the IMSI associated withthe (U)SIM in the HNB, the Public IP Address of the HNB, and the PrivateIP Address of the HNB, and/or the vendor specific unique serial number(such as MAC address).

The IMSI associated with the (U)SIM in the HNB is provided by the HNB tothe HNB-GW when the HNB registers for service. The HNB-GW maintains arecord for each registered HNB. If the HNB is not equipped with a(U)SIM, then an alternate identifier must be allocated to the HNB andprovided to the HNB-GW during registration of the HNB. Any alternateidentifier must ensure global uniqueness for the HNB identity, sincethis identity is also used by the HNB-GW to validate the closed usergroups of UEs allowed to access a particular HNB. In some embodiments,the HNB identity may include a TMSI that is assigned to the HNB or aP-TMSI that is assigned to the HNB.

The Public IP address of the HNB is the address used by the HNB when itestablishes an IPSec tunnel to the HNB-GW Security Gateway. Thisidentifier is provided by the HNB-GW Security Gateway to the AAA server.In some embodiments, the HNB-GW uses this identifier to support locationservices (including emergency calls) and fraud detection. In someembodiments, service providers use this identifier to support Quality ofService (QoS) for IP flows in managed IP networks.

The Private IP address of the HNB (also referred to as the “remote IPaddress”) is used by the HNB inside the IPSec tunnel. The private IPaddress of the HNB is utilized by the HNB-GW to associate or bind aparticular HNB to a specific transport address for the purpose ofnetwork initiated messages.

The vendor specific unique serial may be used by the HNB foridentification purposes. The combination of vendor identity and theserial number within each vendor identity ensure a globally unique HNBidentity over the Iuh interface.

C. HNB Identification

The following points describe the HNB Identification strategy.

1. Location Area (LA), Routing Area (RA), and Service AreaIdentification

In order to facilitate the Mobility Management functions in UMTS, thecoverage area is split into logical registration areas called LocationAreas (for CS domain) and Routing Areas (for PS domain). UEs arerequired to register with the core network (CN) each time the servinglocation area (or routing area) changes. One or more location areasidentifiers (LAIs) may be associated with each MSC/VLR in a carrier'snetwork. Likewise, one or more routing area identifiers (RAIs) may becontrolled by a single SGSN.

The LA and the RA are used in particular when the UE is in idle mode andthe UE does not have any active RRC connection. The CN would utilize thelast known LA (for CS domain) and RA (for PS domain) for paging of themobile when active radio connection is not available.

The Service Area Identifier (SAI) identifies an area including one ormore cells belonging to the same Location Area. The SAI is a subset oflocation area and can be used for indicating the location of a UE to theCN. SAI can also be used for emergency call routing and billingpurposes.

The Service Area Code (SAC) which is 16 bits, together with the PLMN-Idand the LAC constitute the Service Area Identifier.

SAI=PLMN-Id∥LAC∥SAC.

In some embodiments, it is necessary to assign a distinct LAI (distinctfrom its neighboring macro cells or other neighboring HNBs) to each HNBfor the following reasons: (1) the UE's mobility from the macro networkto a HNB cell must be detected by the HNB and the network. The UE cancamp on a HNB via its internal cell selection logic. However, if the UEis in idle mode, there are no messages exchanged between the UE and theHNB, thus making it difficult for the HNB to detect the presence of theUE. In order to trigger an initial message from the UE, upon its campingon a specific HNB, the HNB is assigned distinct location areas differentthan the neighboring macro cells. This results in the UE's MM layertriggering a Location Update message to the CN via the camped cell(i.e., the HNB); (2) the UE's mobility from one HNB to another HNB mustalso be detected. The UE's cell selection selects a neighboring HNB andit will camp on the neighboring HNB without any explicit messaging. Theneighboring HNB's Service Access Control (SAC) may not allow the campingof that specific UE, but without an initial explicit messaging therewould not be a way for the neighboring HNB to detect and subsequently toreject the UE.

When the MCC and MNC components of the LAI remain fixed for eachoperator, LAI uniqueness is ensured by allocating a distinct LocationArea Code (LAC) to each HNB, such that the LAC assigned to the HNB isdifferent from the neighboring macro network cells and other neighboringHNBs. However, the LAC space is limited to theoretical maximum of 64K(due to the limitation of a 16 bit LAC attribute as specified in“Numbering, addressing and identification”, 3GPP TS 23.003, hereinafter“TS 23.003”. As a result, the LAC allocation scheme must provide amechanism for the re-use of LAC for scalable solution, and at the sametime minimize the operational impact on existing CN elements (MSC/SGSN).

In some embodiments, the following solution is utilized to meet theabove requirements. The LAC allocation is split into two separatecategories: (1) a pool of LACs managed by the HNB/HNB Management Systemand (2) a small set of LACs (one per “Iu” interface) managed by theHNB-GW. The first set of LACs (Broadcast LACs) is used by the HNB/HNBManagement System to assign a unique LAC to each HNB such that it meetsthe following requirements (at the minimum): (1) uniqueness with respectto the neighboring macro as well as other HNBs (this will ensure aninitial message from the UE upon HNB selection and rove-in) and (2)resolution of conflicts with shared LACs where multiple HNBs sharing thesame LAC are not neighbors but can be accessed by the same UE (this isto allow the use of “LA not allowed” rejection code for UE rejection).

The second set of LACs (a much smaller set) is managed within eachHNB-GW as follows, with the following key requirements: they must (1)minimize the impact on the existing CN elements (such as minimalconfiguration and operational impact), (2) seamlessly integrate theexisting functionality for routing of emergency call routing toappropriate PSAPs, and (3) seamlessly integrate existing functionalityfor the generation of appropriate CDR for billing purposes.

To meet the above requirements for the second set of LACs each HNB-GWrepresents a Super LAC for a given Iu interface (i.e., MSC and SGSNinterface). This implies the MSC/SGSN can be configured with a singleset of Super LAI/Super RAI information for that HNB-GW. It should beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that this does not limitthe operator from configuring multiple Super LAI/Super RAI sets ifnecessary, for example, to further subdivide the region served by asingle HNB-GW into multiple geographic areas.

In addition, the HNB-GW utilizes the following mapping functionality forassignment of a Super LA: (1) when macro coverage is reported by theHNB, HNB-GW supports mapping of the reported macro coverage to a SuperLAC, Super RAC, and Service Area Code (SAC). The number of SACs utilizedwill be dependent on the granularity which the operator chooses forregional distribution (e.g., for emergency call routing, billing, etc.);(2) When no macro coverage is reported by the HNB, the HNB-GW has thefollowing logic for the Super LAC/RAC/SAC assignment: (a) query thesubscriber database for information on the “provisioned macro coverage”for the given HNB IMSI (or identity). When the database query reportsmacro coverage, the HNB-GW uses the provisioned macro coverageinformation to map Super LAC/RAC/SAC as above; (b) when there is noinformation about the macro coverage from the subscriber database query,HNB-GW maps the HNB to default Super LAC/RAC/SAC.

However, such a mapping may result in the HNB-GW routing traffic to theCN in a sub-optimal mechanism. Therefore, to prevent this sub-optimalrouting of UE traffic to default MSC/SGSN, one or more of the followingadditional enhancements on the HNB of some embodiments may be utilized:(i) upon a UE rove-in to this “no coverage” HNB, the HNB gathersinformation from the UE's initial LU request (since the UE will reportlast camped LAI), (ii) the HNB collects information from multiple UEsand constructs a “derived” macro coverage information (the number of UEsutilized to derive macro coverage could be algorithmic), (iii) usingthis derived macro coverage information, the HNB sends a HNBAP RegisterUpdate Uplink message to the HNB-GW, and (iv) the HNB-GW utilizes themacro coverage information reported via the HNBAP Register Update Uplinkmessage to map the HNB to an appropriate Super LAC/RAC/SAC as above.

A distinct LAI for each HNB also implies a distinct RAI since the RAI iscomposed of the LAI and Routing Area Code (RAC). The LAI, RAI and theService area code (SAC) are sent to the HNB upon successful registrationof HNB.

In some embodiments, the HNB provides Super LAC/RAC replacement in theNAS messages from the network to the UE (e.g., LU Accept or RAU accept).In some such embodiments, the HNB replaces the “Super LAC/RAC” containedin the relevant NAS messages from the network, with the appropriatelocally assigned LAC/RAC information in messages sent to the UEs campedon the HNB. The HNB also includes the SAI provided by the HNB-GW in thecorresponding UE specific RANAP messages.

2. 3 G Cell Identification

A 3 G Cell Id identifies a cell unambiguously within a PLMN. A 3 G cellidentifier is typically composed as follows: 3 G Cell Id=28 bits=RNC-Id(12 bits)+cell Id (16 bits). In an alternate embodiment, the 3 G Cell Idmay also be composed as follows: 3 G Cell Id=28 bits=RNC-Id (16bits)+cell Id (12 bits).

The 3 G Cell Ids in UMTS are managed within the UTRAN and are notexposed to the CN. As a result, the cell assignment logic can belocalized to the UTRAN as long as it can ensure uniqueness within agiven PLMN. The 3 G Cell Id assigned to each HNB must be distinct fromits neighboring HNB primarily to avoid advertisement of the same cell idin system information broadcast by two adjacent HNBs, considering thatin some embodiments the physical deployment of the HNBs are ad-hoc andnot controlled by the operator.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, each HNB-GW is statically provisionedwith a unique RNC-Id and the RNC-Id will be conveyed to the HNB duringregistration. The HNB will be responsible for the assignment of the 16bit cell-id locally and construct the 3 G cell using the combination ofHNB-GW supplied RNC-Id and locally assigned cell-id. In someembodiments, the HNB may use the entire 28 bits for cell Id (and notinclude the RNC Id) for broadcasting over the air interface. In thisalternate embodiment, mapping between these 28 bits cells ids to RNCId(s) is maintained either in the HNB or the HNB-GW.

3. Impact on Core Network

The LAC/RAC information sent to the UE is different (locally assigned bythe HNB) than that sent to the CN (Super LAC/RAC assigned by theHNB-GW). As a result of this split allocation, the UE stores (uponsuccessful LU/RAU), the local or broadcast LAC/RAC on the UE's (U)SIM.Upon rove-out to the licensed wireless network, the UE triggers locationupdate and routing area update using these local values for LAC and RAC.The CN does not have any information about this local LAC/RAC valuesince the MSC/SGSN is aware of the Super LAC/RAC for that UE.

Therefore, in the PS domain, for UEs in idle mode, if there are existingPDP sessions, PS service may be affected. The new SGSN will not be awareof the “RAI” contained in the Routing Area Update message. As a result,the new SGSN may be unable to retrieve subscriber context (i.e.,existing PDP information) from the old SGSN. This could result in thePDP sessions having to be re-established by the UE. Re-establishing thePDP sessions results in the exchange of additional signaling messagesand possible impacts to service such as delayed PS applications. Forbilling purposes, it is desirable that the PDP session in idle mode beterminated and restarted with the correct billing indicators (e.g., SAI,etc.). For such scenarios, the above limitation is a non-issue. If therouting area update is performed using a P-TMSI, the new SGSN will nothave the associated P-TMSI and will trigger an “Identity request” NASmessage to the UE thus resulting in the exchange of additional signalingmessages.

In the CS domain, if the location update done is performed using theTMSI, this could trigger an “Identity Request” NAS message from the MSCto the UE thus resulting in the exchange of additional signalingmessages. Also, there may be additional impact on the HLR, if the “newVLR” and the “old VLR” for the given subscriber IMSI are the same. TheVLR may not be able to make the determination of the old VLR due to anunknown LAI and may send a message to the HLR. This could result in theVLR requesting complete subscriber information from the HLR thusresulting in additional signaling messages in the CN. In someembodiments, the CN elements (SGSN/MSC) are enhanced to recognize theSuper LAC/RAC from the Broadcast LAC. If it is able to distinguish theSuper LAC and Broadcast LAC, then the subscriber information (such asongoing PDP and other information) can be consolidated (for example,using the IMSI), thus mitigating any impacts due to the abovelimitations.

D. HNB Operating Configurations

In the HNB system of some embodiments, two HNB operating configurationsinclude a common core configuration and a separate core configuration.For the common core configuration of some embodiments, the HNB Super LAIand the umbrella UTRAN's LAI (e.g., the “umbrella” UTRAN that serves thesubscriber's neighborhood) are different. Also, the network isengineered such that the same core network entities (i.e., MSC and SGSN)serve both the HNBs and the umbrella UMTS cells. The primary advantageof this configuration is that subscriber movement between the HNBcoverage area and the UMTS coverage area does not result in inter-system(i.e., MAP) signaling (e.g., location updates and handovers areintra-MSC). In some embodiments, the common core configuration requirescoordinated HNB and UMTS traffic engineering (e.g., for the purpose ofMSC and SGSN capacity planning).

For the separate core configuration, the HNB Super LAI and umbrellaUTRAN's LAI are different. Also, the network is engineered such thatdifferent core network entities serve the HNBs and the umbrella UMTScells. The advantage of this configuration is that engineering of theHNB and UMTS networks can be more independent than in the common coreconfiguration. In some embodiments, the separate core configurationrequires that subscriber movement between the HNB coverage area and theUMTS coverage area results in inter-system (i.e., MAP) signaling.

E. Discovery and Registration

In some embodiments, the HNB is plug-and-play upon connection to theoperator core network. The HNB does not require any manual “per unit”configuration by the operator or by the subscriber to be activated. Insome embodiments, HNBs from multiple vendors will connect to each HNB-GW(i.e., many to one relationship). As a result, a standardized andinter-operable mechanism of connecting these multiple vendor HNBs toHNB-GW is highly desirable. The discovery and registration proceduresprovide a standardized and inter-operable mechanism for HNB to connectand receive services from the most appropriate HNB-GW.

1. HNB Discovery

In some embodiments, the HNB-GW discovery process does not involve anysignaling to the PLMN infrastructure and is wholly contained within theHNB system (i.e., between the HNB, HNB-GW). Upon initial power-up (e.g.,when the HNB has not stored information about its serving HNB-GW), theHNB initiates the discovery procedure towards the HNB-GW.

The discovery procedure services provide an automated way for the HNB todetermine the most appropriate serving HNB-GW in the HPLMN of the HNB,taking into account parameters such as the HNB identity and location.Additionally, the discovery procedure services provide an inter-operablemechanism for the HNB from multiple vendors to find the appropriateHNB-GW which can serve the specific HNB. The logic reflecting operatorpolicy for assigning HNB to the appropriate HNB-GW is implemented in oneplace and is the same for every HNB product or vendor. In someembodiments, all HNBs, from every HNB vendor, are provisioned withexactly the same initial information. In some embodiments, this initialinformation includes the address (e.g., FQDN) of the network-wideProvisioning HNB-GW. In alternate embodiments, the discovery of servingHNB-GW is performed via the HNB management system.

2. HNB and UE Registration

In some embodiments, the HNB registration process does not involve anysignaling to the PLMN infrastructure and is wholly contained within theHNB system (i.e., between the HNB, HNB-GW). The registration processincludes HNB registration and UE registration.

In some embodiments, HNB registration occurs upon HNB power-up. Whenpowered-up, the HNB registers with the HNB-GW. HNB registration servesto (a) inform the HNB-GW that a HNB is now connected and is available ata particular IP address, (b) provide the HNB with the network operatingparameters associated with the HNB service at the current location whichmust be coordinated between the HNB and HNB-GW (information that neednot be locally coordinated can be obtained through the HNB ManagementSystem prior to HNB-GW Discovery/Registration), (c) allow the HNB-GW toperform network based access control (e.g., HNB restriction and locationverification), and (d) provide a mechanism to redirect the HNB to adifferent serving HNB-GW (e.g., based on incoming location, current loadon the HNB-GW, and availability/load status of the Iu-CS/Iu-PSinterface, etc).

In some embodiments, UE registration occurs upon HNB selection and cellcamping. When the UE selects a HNB and camps on the corresponding cell,the UE initiates an initial NAS (Non-access stratum) message (forexample a Location Update (LU) message) towards the CN via the HNB. TheHNB utilizes this message to detect the presence of the UE on thatspecific HNB. The HNB then initiates a registration message towards theHNB-GW for the camped UE. UE registration by the HNB informs the HNB-GWthat a UE is now connected through a particular HNB and is available ata particular IP address. The HNB-GW keeps track of this information(e.g. for the purposes of “directed paging” in the case of amobile-terminated call). UE registration by the HNB also allows theHNB-GW to provide network based service access control (SAC)functionality. The HNB-GW provides authorization and enforcement basedon the operator's service access control polices. Network based SAC canbe used to insure that a particular UE is indeed authorized for serviceover a particular HNB. Additionally, UE registration by the HNB allowsthe HNB-GW to provide UE specific service parameters to the HNB (e.g.,differentiated billing for home users versus guest users). In someembodiments, UE registration by the HNB provides a mechanism forindicating emergency services only. With this explicit indication, theHNB-GW can override the normal service access controls for this UE butthe HNB-GW may still restrict the UE to only emergency services forfraud prevention. In addition, this emergency services indicator allowsthe HNB-GW to support emergency call-backs by targeting the correct HNBover which the emergency call had originated. This assumes that the HNBallows an unauthorized UE (i.e., a UE not allowed service over thatparticular HNB) to camp for limited service.

F. Mobility Management Scenarios

1. HNB Power On

In some embodiments, the HNB is initially provisioned with information(i.e., an IP address or a FQDN) about the Provisioning HNB-GW and thecorresponding Provisioning SeGW related to that HNB-GW. If the HNB doesnot have any information about the Serving HNB-GW and the associatedSeGW stored, then the HNB completes the Discovery procedure towards theProvisioning HNB-GW via the associated SeGW. If the HNB has storedinformation about the Serving HNB-GW on which it registered successfullythe last time, the HNB skips the discovery procedure and attemptsregistration with the Serving HNB-GW as described below.

2. HNB Discovery Procedure

FIG. 31 illustrates the case when the HNB powers on and does not havestored information on the Serving HNB-GW, and then performs a discoveryprocedure with the provisioning HNB-GW and SeGW, in some embodiments.

As shown, when the HNB 3105 has a provisioned FQDN of the HNB-GWDiscovery service, it performs (at step 1) a DNS query (via the genericIP access network interface) to resolve the FQDN to an IP address. Whenthe HNB 3105 already has the IP address for the HNB-GW Discoveryservice, the DNS step is omitted. The DNS Server 3110 returns (at step2) a response including the IP Address of a HNB-GW that provides HNB-GWDiscovery service. The HNB 3105 establishes (at step 3) a secure tunnelto the HNB-GW 3115. In some embodiments, the SeGW is any logical entitywithin the HNB-GW 3115. The HNB 3105 sets up (at step 4) a reliabletransport session to a well-defined port on the HNB-GW 3115.

The HNB 3105 then queries (at step 5) the HNB-GW 3115 for the address ofthe serving HNB-GW, using the HNBAP DISCOVERY REQUEST message. Themessage contains both HNB location information and HNB identity. The HNB3105 provides location information via use of one or more of thefollowing mechanisms: (1) detected macro coverage information (e.g.,GERAN or UTRAN cell information), (2) geographical co-ordinates (e.g.,via use of GPS, etc.), or (3) Internet connectivity information (e.g.,IP address or DSL Line Identifier). It is possible that none of theabove information is available. In such instances where the informationis not available, the discovery mechanism of some embodiments supportsHNB assignment to a default HNB-GW for such use with the understandingthat service via such default assignment may be non-optimal.Alternately, some embodiments deny discovery of a serving HNB-GW untilvalid location information is provided. The HNB 3105 is assumed to havea globally unique identity. In some embodiments, the specific identitymay be the IMSI if a (U)SIM is associated with the HNB.

The HNB-GW 3115 returns (at step 6) the HNBAP DISCOVERY ACCEPT message,using the information provided by the HNB 3105 to determine the addressof the most appropriate serving HNB-GW. The DISCOVERY ACCEPT message mayalso indicate whether the serving HNB-GW address information is storedby the HNB 3105 for future access (i.e., versus performing HNB-GWdiscovery each time the HNB 3105 is power-cycled).

When the HNB-GW 3115 cannot accept (at step 7) the HNBAP DISCOVERYREQUEST message, it returns a HNBAP DISCOVERY REJECT message indicatingthe reject cause. The secure tunnel to the HNB-GW 3115 is released (atstep 8).

3. HNB Registration Procedure

Following the discovery of a serving HNB-GW, the HNB establishes asecure tunnel with the Security Gateway of the Serving HNB-GW andattempts to register with the HNB-GW. This HNB-GW may become the ServingHNB-GW for that connection by accepting the registration, or this HNB-GWmay redirect the HNB to a different Serving HNB-GW. HNB-GW redirectionmay be based on information provided by the HNB during the Registrationprocedure, operator chosen policy or network load balancing. FIG. 32illustrates the HNB Power on registration procedure of some embodiments.

As shown, if the HNB 3205 does not have stored information on theserving HNB-GW 3215, the HNB 3205 performs (at step 1) the HNB-GWDiscovery procedure. The HNB 3205 establishes (at step 2) a securetunnel to the serving HNB-GW 3215. This step may be omitted if a securetunnel is being reused from an earlier discovery or registrationprocedure. The HNB 3205 sets up (at step 3) a reliable transport sessionto a well-defined port on the serving HNB-GW 3215.

The HNB 3205 then attempts (at step 4) to register with the servingHNB-GW 3215 using a HNBAP REGISTRATION REQUEST message. The messagecontains the HNB identity (per SA1 requirement, the HNB 3205 has aglobally unique identity; for example, it may be the IMSI if a (U)SIM isassociated with the HNB), and HNB location information. The locationinformation can be in the following forms: (1) detected macro coverageinformation (e.g., GERAN or UTRAN cell information), (2) geographicalcoordinates (e.g., via use of GPS, etc.), or (3) Internet connectivityinformation (e.g., IP address or DSL Line Identifier). When none of theabove information is available at the HNB 3205, the registrationmechanism of some embodiments supports either a registration withdefault network operating parameters or a registration rejection toprevent HNB operation in unknown locations. The determination for exactlogic should be based on configured policy of the HNB-GW (here, 3215).

The serving HNB-GW 3215 may use the information from the HNBAP REGISTERREQUEST message to perform access control of the HNB 3205 (e.g., whethera particular HNB is allowed to operate in a given location, etc). If theserving HNB-GW 3215 accepts the registration attempt it responds (atstep 5) with a HNBAP REGISTER ACCEPT message. In some embodiments, theHNBAP REGISTER ACCEPT message includes the necessary system informationfor the HNB functionality which needs to be coordinated with the servingHNB-GW 3215. In this case, the reliable transport session and the securetunnel are not released and are maintained as long as the HNB 3205 isregistered with the serving HNB-GW 3215.

Alternatively, the serving HNB-GW 3215 may reject (at step 6) therequest (e.g., due to network congestion or overload, blacklisted HNB,unauthorized location, etc.). In this case, the HNB-GW 3215 respondswith a HNBAP REGISTER REJECT message indicating the reject cause.Additionally, in cases of network congestion or overload, the HNB-GW mayalso indicate a back-off time to prevent the HNB from attempting animmediate registration retry. When the serving HNB-GW 3215 wishes toredirect (at step 7) the HNB 3205 to (another) serving HNB-GW (notshown), the HNB-GW 3215 responds with a HNBAP REGISTER REDIRECT messageproviding information about the target HNB-GW. In some embodiments, thefunctionality of redirection maybe performed via the HNB receiving aHNBAP REGISTER REJECT message from the HNB-GW and attempting to connectto a second HNB-GW using information for the second HNB-GW provided bythe HNB management system. The HNB 3205 releases (at step 8) thetransport session as well as the secure tunnel if it does not receive aHNBAP REGISTER ACCEPT message in response.

a. Abnormal Cases

When the Serving HNB-GW rejects a Registration Request and is unable toprovide redirection to a suitable Serving HNB-GW, the HNB may re-attemptthe discovery procedure (including in the message a cause indicating thefailed registration attempt and the serving HNB-GW provided in the lastdiscovery procedure). The HNB may also delete all stored informationabout the rejected serving HNB-GW.

Some of the possible reject causes for HNB registration attempts are:network congestion or overload, location not allowed, geo-location notknown, HNB Identity (e.g., IMSI) not allowed, resource unavailable,and/or “unspecified”.

4. UE Registration

After an HNB is registered with a HNB-GW, the HNB establishes a shortrange licensed wireless service region of the HNB system. When UEs enterthe service region, the HNB performs a registration procedure toauthenticate and authorize the UE for HNB service for the service regionof a particular HNB. UE registration first determines whether the HNB ispermitted to access services of the HNB system through the particularservice region associated with the HNB on which the UE is camped. UEregistration also serves to determine what services the UE is authorizedto access from that particular service region. Similar to the HNBregistration, UE registration is performed through the HNB-GW.

Based on the service policy of the HNB system provider, UEs may berestricted to service through certain HNBs i.e. the HNBs may have aclosed subscriber group (CSG) for allowing access through the particularHNB. In some embodiments, the UE is allowed service through an HNB thatis associated with the user's home location. In some embodiments, the UEis allowed HNB service through certain HNB hotspots. By providingregistration through the HNB-GW, some embodiments provide a centrallocation whereby access to the HNB services can be controlled

FIG. 33 illustrates UE registration with the HNB, in some embodiments.Here, the HNB 3305 registers a specific UE 3310 with the HNB-GW 3315.The registration is triggered when the UE 3310 attempts to access theHNB 3305 for the first time via an initial NAS message (e.g. LocationUpdating Request).

In the example of FIG. 33, upon camping on the HNB 3305, the UE 3310initiates (at step 1 a) a Location Update procedure by establishing anRRC connection with the HNB 3305 (it can be assumed that the HNB 3305has a location area that is distinct from its neighboring HNB and macrocells to trigger an initial message upon camping on the HNB 3305). TheUE 3310 then transmits (at step 1 b) a NAS message carrying the LocationUpdating Request message with some form of identity (IMSI/TMSI). If the(P)TMSI of the UE 3310 (provided during RRC Connection Establishment) isunknown at the HNB being accessed (e.g., first access attempt by thisspecific UE using the (P)TMSI, the HNB requests (at step 1 c) the IMSIof the UE and the UE replies at step Id. In some embodiments where thenetworks support network mode 1, the UE could trigger a combined RoutingArea and Location Area update request instead of the initial LU request.The HNB may also optionally perform local access control for fasterrejection of those UEs not authorized to access the particular HNB. Ifthe HNB performs the local access control, then unauthorized UEs are notattempted to be registered with the HNB-GW.

The HNB 3305 attempts (at step 2) to register the UE 3310 on the HNB-GW3315 over the UE specific transport session by transmitting the HNBAP UEREGISTER REQUEST. The message contains location information and the UEidentity such as the IMSI of the (U)SIM associated with the UE. The HNBidentity over which the UE is attempting access can be inferred orderived by the HNB-GW based on HNB registration and the associatedtransport session (e.g. SCTP session) since the UE registration is alsoattempted (by the HNB) using the same transport session.

The HNB-GW 3315 performs access control for the particular UE 3310attempting to utilize the specific HNB 3305. If the HNB-GW 3315 acceptsthe registration attempt, it responds (at step 3) with a HNBAP REGISTERACCEPT message back to the HNB 3305. In some embodiments, the HNB-GW3315 also assigns information specific to the UE 3310 such as SAIspecific to the registered UE, UE Context Id (for use in the RUA layer),etc. The UE Context Id provides a unique identifier for each UE within aparticular HNB-GW. The UE Context Id is used to identify a logical Iuhsignaling connection for a given UE. Additionally, since the UE ContextId is unique within the HNB-GW, it is also used (e.g. by the HNB) as the“Iu signaling connection identifier” in corresponding RANAP messages forthat particular UE.

The HNB 3305 performs (at step 4) a NAS relay of the Location UpdatingRequest message from the UE 3310 to the HNB-GW 3315 via the use of RANAPInitial UE Message. The RANAP Initial UE Message is encapsulated in theRUA message header with additional necessary information which enablesthe HNB-GW 3315 to relay RANAP message towards the appropriate CNentity.

The HNB-GW 3315 establishes (at step 5) an SCCP connection to the CN3320 and forwards the Location Update request (or the combined RA/LAupdate request) NAS PDU to the CN 3320 using the RANAP Initial UEMessage. Subsequent NAS messages between the UE 3310 and core network3320 will be sent between the HNB 3305/HNB-GW 3315 and the CN 3320 usingthe RANAP Direct Transfer message encapsulated in the RUA header.

The CN 3320 authenticates (at step 6) the UE 3310 using standardauthentication procedures. The CN 3320 also initiates the Security ModeControl procedure. The NAS messages are relayed transparently by theHNB-GW 3315 and the HNB 3305 between the UE 3310 and the CN 3320. The CN3320 indicates (at step 7) it has received the location update and itwill accept the location update using the Location Update Accept messageto the HNB-GW 3315. The HNB-GW 3315 relays (at step 8) the LU Accept NASmessage to the HNB 3305 via the use of RANAP Direct Transfer messageencapsulated in the RUA header. The HNB 3305 relays (at step 9) the LUAccept over the air interface to the UE 3310 and the procedure iscompleted.

In some embodiments, the HNB has a location area that is distinct fromits neighboring HNB and macro cells in order to trigger an initialmessage from a UE upon the UE camping on the HNB. The uniqueness oflocation is with respect to neighbors of a given HNB, which includesother surrounding HNBs and macro cells. It is neither required norfeasible to have a system-wide (i.e., across PLMN) unique location areafor each HNB. Multiple HNBs are able to re-use the location area withthe above consideration (i.e., non-conflicting with other neighbors).This unique location area is required to trigger an initial UE messageand serves to perform access control and rejection of unauthorized UEsupon initial cell reselection and camping on the HNB; and, to trackauthorized UEs, in order to minimize the impact of paging at the HNB-GWas well as the HNB (via UE registration).

Once the UE has successfully registered with the HNB-GW and performed asuccessful location update, the HNB may expect a periodic LU for that UE(the enabling and the periodicity of the LU is controlled by the HNB viaSystem Information broadcast from the HNB to the UE). This exchange willserve as a keep-alive between the HNB and the UE and will help the HNBdetect idle UEs moving away from the camped HNB without explicitdisconnect from the network.

a. Abnormal Cases

When the unauthorized UE is not allowed to camp on the HNB, the HNB-GWresponds to the UE registration with a HNBAP REGISTRATION REJECT messageto the HNB. The HNB is then expected to reject the corresponding UEusing appropriate reject mechanisms. For example, some rejectionmechanisms include RRC rejection or redirection to another cell orreject the LU with cause such as “Location Area not allowed”, etc.

When the unauthorized UE is allowed to camp in idle mode only, theHNB-GW responds to the UE registration with a HNBAP REGISTRATION ACCEPTmessage to the HNB and also includes a cause code indicating the limitedcamping of the UE (i.e., idle mode only). The HNB continues with theLocation Update NAS message processing. At the completion of asuccessful location update procedure, if this unauthorized UE nowattempts a subsequent L3 transaction (e.g., a mobile originated servicerequest), the HNB will use the appropriate mechanisms (e.g., RRCredirection or relocation) to redirect the UE to another macro cell forthe active call.

b. Iuh Registration and Paging Optimization for CSG UEs

A HNB can be deployed in multiple access modes. When the HNBs aredeployed in closed access mode (meaning only a certain group of usersare allowed access), a mechanism for access control is implemented viaenforcement in the network (either the radio access network or the corenetwork). As a result, the network must reject un-authorized UEs (i.e.UEs not subscribing to a particular HNB). The allowed CSG list stored onthe UE or in the subscriber database record (such as in the HLR or HSS)is also known as the white-list.

The CSG capable HNB broadcasts a CSG-Id over the air interface. In someembodiments, the CSG-Id refers to a single cell, and in otherembodiments, the CSG-Id may be shared by multiple CSG cells.Additionally, the HNB may also include an indication on whether the cellbelongs to a closed subscriber group. The CN elements (MSC/VLR/SGSN) areassumed to be CSG capable i.e. they are able to access the allowed CSGlist (i.e. white-list) of a particular UE (i.e. subscriber) and toenforce access control for each subscriber.

Subscribers can be equipped with either a legacy UE or a CSG capable UE.The legacy UE's decision to select a particular HNB may be based onmacro NCL (e.g. if moving from macro coverage into HNB coverage area inidle mode) or based on full scan of all available cells for a particularoperator PLMN (e.g. if there is no macro coverage in idle mode). CSGcapable UEs do not need the macro NCL assistance and are capable ofselecting the HNB autonomously based on the White-List on the (U)SIM ormanual selection using the CSG-Id/“HNB Display Identity” broadcast bythe HNB. However, if macro NCL includes HNB neighbors, then a CSGcapable UE may use that information for initial scanning of the HNB butthe eventual decision to select the particular HNB is based on thewhite-list or manual selection decision.

The following sub-sections describe CSG UE registration over the Iuhinterface as well as the various mechanisms which would allow Pagemessages from the CN to be filtered at the HNB-GW (i.e. send the Pagemessage to the specific HNB where the UE is camped) without anydependency or need for specific co-relation between the CSG-Id andLocation area of the HNBs (or with the macro LA).

i. UE Registration

Use of UE registration for CSG UEs over Iuh interface requires the HNBto trigger UE registration upon HNB cell selection. The HNB can relyupon an initial L3 transaction (e.g. LAU or Paging Response) to performUE registration (similar to UE registration supported for legacy i.e.pre-CSG systems). For the CSG systems case, since the access control isperformed in the CN, the HNB must also monitor for successfulconfirmation of the initial L3 transaction (e.g. LAU Accept). If the HNBdetects failure in the L3 procedure, the HNB must trigger deregistrationof the CSG UE. The UE registration procedure as defined for legacysystems requires the HNB to know the permanent identity (IMSI) of the UEand the IMSI is obtained via identity request procedure which isconsidered a breach of the current user confidentiality assumptions inmacro networks. The following describes a solution, in some embodiments,which avoids the need for issuing an identity request (over the airinterface) for CSG UEs Registration procedure.

1. Resolving Identity Issues for UE Registration

The UE permanent identity is required in legacy (i.e. pre-CSG)environments to perform access control and to perform paging filtering(in the HNB-GW) using the IMSI. In the CSG environment, the accesscontrol is performed by the CN using CSG-id and the white-list on theUE. This leaves the problem of paging filtering. The paging filteringusing UE registration, in the legacy system (i.e. pre-CSG UE/HNB), istriggered by HNB using the IMSI as the identity. Some embodiments modifythe UE registration to allow UE registration using the {TMSI/P-TMSI,LAC} as temporary UE identity (Note: LAC is required since TMSI isunique within given LAC only and 2 simultaneous UE registration must behandled). The NAS message triggering UE registration (LAU or CSG Update)will result in the RANAP Common-Id procedure being sent by the CNtowards the HNB-GW and will include the IMSI. This allows the HNB-GW toassociate the UE context (created at UE registration using a temporaryidentity, such as (P)TMSI, with the particular IMSI. Subsequent pagingcan be filtered at the HNB-GW using the IMSI stored in the UE context.

FIG. 34 illustrates a procedure for the HNB-GW to allow UE registrationusing temporary identity (e.g. TMSI or PTMSI) in some embodiments. TheHNB-GW subsequently receives the permanent identity from the corenetwork (CN) and associates the above said UE registration with thepermanent identity i.e. IMSI of the UE.

As shown, UE 3405 selects (at step 1) and camps on the HNB 3410 usingits white-list (or allowed CSG list) and CSG information broadcast bythe HNB 3410. The UE 3405 then sends (at step 2) an initial NAS (L3)message towards the HNB 3410 (e.g. LAU request or Page response)containing only a temporary UE identity such as the TMSI (CS domain) orPTMSI (PS domain). The HNB 3410 initiates (at step 3) a UE registrationtowards the HNB-GW 3415 with this temporary UE identity without anyfurther identity request from the UE 3405 over the air interface. TheHNB-GW 3415 accepts (at step 4) the UE registration using the temporaryidentity and includes a unique context id in the UE registration acceptmessage. The initial NAS message is forwarded (at steps 5-8) towards theCN 3420 followed by authentication and other normative procedures. TheCN 3420 then sends (at step 9) the RANAP Common Id message containingthe UE's permanent identity i.e. IMSI. The HNB-GW 3415 then associates(at step 10) the existing UE registration and context Id with the IMSIobtained in this manner.

It should be noted that if the RRC “cell update” (or equivalent)procedure is used instead of NAS level messaging for indication of HNBselection by the CSG UE, then IMSI cannot be obtained from the CN. Thiswould then require that the HNB perform an identity request or requirethat the CSG UE include the IMSI in the RRC “cell update” (orequivalent) procedure.

2. Inclusion of CSG-id in the Page Message from CN

As described in Section III.F.4.b, the CN is able to access the allowedCSG list (i.e. white-list) of a particular UE (i.e. subscriber). Byincluding target CSG-Id (i.e., the Allowed CSG list, white-list, CSGidentity, etc.) in the Page message from the CN, the HNB-GW can send thepage to the correct HNB, and IMSI becomes a non-issue. However, thismechanism does require modification to existing RANAP Page messages fromthe CN. Additionally, the CN may be required to include the CSG-Idconditionally towards the HNB-GW and never towards a macro RNC.

5. UE Rove Out

FIG. 35 illustrates the UE rove out procedure, where the UE leaves theHNB coverage area while idle, in some embodiments. As shown, uponsuccessful UE registration/LAU of the UE 3510, the HNB 3505 will monitor(at step 1) the UE 3510 via periodic location updates. The enabling andthe periodicity of the LU are controlled by the HNB 3505 via SystemInformation broadcast from the HNB 3505 to the UE 3510. This exchangewill serve as a keep-alive between the HNB 3505 and the UE 3510. The HNB3505 determines (at step 2) that the UE 3510 is no longer camped on theHNB 3505 (roved out), as a result of missing number of periodic locationupdates from the UE 3510. The HNB 3505 will inform (at step 3) theHNB-GW 3515 that the UE 3510 has moved out of the HNB coverage area bysending a HNBAP DEREGISTER message. The HNB-GW 3515 will remove anyassociated UE context upon receiving the deregister message for the UE3510.

6. UE Power Down with IMSI Detach

FIG. 36 illustrates the case when the UE powers down and performs anIMSI detach via the HNB access network, in some embodiments. In somesuch embodiments, the UE 3610 in idle mode initiates (at step 1) thepower off sequence. The UE 3610 establishes (at step 2) an RRCConnection with the HNB 3605. The UE 3610 sends (at step 3) an MM LayerIMSI-Detach message over the air interface to the HNB 3605. The HNB 3605sends (at step 4) the RANAP encapsulated IMSI-Detach NAS PDU messagealong with the RUA header information to the HNB-GW 3615. The HNB-GW3615 establishes (at step 5) an SCCP connection to the CN 3620 andforwards the IMSI-Detach NAS PDU to the CN 3620 using the RANAP InitialUE Message.

The CN 3620 initiates (at step 6) a normal resource cleanup via RANAP IuRelease Command to the HNB-GW 3615. The HNB-GW 3615 forwards (at step 7)the RANAP Iu Release Command message encapsulated in the RUA to the HNB3605. The HNB 3605 acknowledges (at step 8) resource cleanup via RUAencapsulated RANAP Iu Release Complete message to the HNB-GW 3615. TheHNB-GW 3615 forwards (at step 9) the RANAP Iu Release Complete messageto the CN 3620.

The HNB 3605 triggers (at step 10) deregistration for the specific UE3610 by sending a corresponding HNBAP DEREGISTER message to the HNB-GW3615. The HNB 3605 detects that the UE 3610 has roved and triggers theUE deregistration. As an optimization, the HNB 3605 can also monitor theIMSI-Detach NAS message from the UE 3610 and trigger deregistration ofthe UE 3610. The HNB 3605 initiates (at step 11) RRC Connection releaseprocedure towards the UE 3610 and the UE 3610 powers off (at step 12).

7. UE Power Down without IMSI Detach

The sequence of events is same as UE Roving out of HNB as describedabove in with reference to FIG. 36.

8. Loss of Iuh Interface IP Connectivity

FIG. 37 illustrates the loss of Iuh interface capacity for the HNB, insome embodiments. As shown, the SCTP instance on the HNB 3705periodically sends (at step 1) a SCTP HEARTBEAT message to the HNB-GW3715 to check that the SCTP connection exists. IP connectivity betweenthe HNB 3705 and HNB-GW 3715 is lost (at step 2) (e.g., due to abroadband network problem). If the HNB-GW 3715 detects the loss ofconnectivity, it releases (at step 3) the resources assigned to the HNB3705 (e.g., SCTP connection) and deletes the subscriber record (i.e.,performs a local deregistration of the HNB 3705). Optionally, the HNB-GWimplementation deletes UE specific sessions and contexts originatingfrom that particular HNB.

If the HNB 3705 detects (at step 4) the loss of SCTP connectivity, itattempts (at step 5) to re-establish the SCTP connection and re-registerwith the HNB-GW 3715. Should the HNB 3705 re-establish connectivity andre-register before the HNB-GW 3715 detects the problem, the HNB-GW 3715must recognize that the HNB 3705 is already registered and adjustaccordingly (e.g., release the old SCTP connection resources).

If the HNB 3705 is unsuccessful in re-establishing connectivity to theHNB-GW 3715, the HNB 3705 will implicitly deregister (at step 6) all theUEs 3710 currently camped on the HNB 3705. Additionally, the HNB 3705must force all the UEs 3710, currently camped on that HNB 3705, to do acell-reselection and rove out of HNB coverage. The UE 3710, as a resultof the cell re-selection, will switch (at step 7) to UMTS macro cell (ifUMTS macro network coverage is available).

9. HNB-GW-Initiated Deregister

In some embodiments, the HNB-GW deregisters the HNB when (1) the HNB-GWreceives an HNBAP REGISTER UPDATE UPLINK message, but the HNB is notregistered, (2) the HNB-GW receives an HNBAP REGISTER UPDATE UPLINKmessage, but encounters a resource error and cannot process the message,or (3) the HNB-GW receives an HNBAP REGISTER UPDATE UPLINK message withnew macro network cell information, and the macro cell isHNB-restricted. In some embodiments, the HNB-GW will deregister the UEif it receives an HNBAP SYNCHRONIZATION INFORMATION message for a UEthat is not registered. In some embodiments, the updates from the HNBmay be indicated by the HNB sending another HNBAP REGISTER REQUEST overthe same SCTP transport where it is already registered.

10. HNB-Initiated Register Update

FIG. 38 illustrates an HNB-initiated register update between the HNB andHNB-GW, in some embodiments. As shown, a register update is triggered(at step 1) in the HNB 3805 (e.g., change of macro network coverage).The HNB 3805 sends (at step 2) HNBAP REGISTER UPDATE UPLINK to theHNB-GW 3815. The HNB-GW 3815 may optionally send (at step 3) HNBAPREGISTER UPDATE DOWNLINK message if there is a change in systeminformation for the HNB 3805 due to updated macro information (e.g.,change in Iu interface parameters such as LAI, etc. due to updated macroinformation). Optionally, the HNB-GW 3815 may trigger (at step 4) thederegistration procedure as described in the subsection above. In someembodiments, the updates from the HNB may be indicated by the HNBsending another HNBAP REGISTER REQUEST over the same SCTP transportwhere it is already registered.

11. HNB-GW-Initiated Register Update

FIG. 39 illustrates the HNB-GW-initiated registration update between theHNB and HNB-GW, in some embodiments. A register update is triggered (atstep 1) in the HNB-GW 3915 (e.g., due to change in access control listor closed user group for the HNB, or change in System Information suchas LAI, RNC-Id, etc). The HNB-GW 3915 sends (at step 2) HNBAP REGISTERUPDATE DOWNLINK to the HNB 3905. In some embodiments, the HNBAP REGISTERUPDATE DOWNLINK message triggers (at step 3) an additional procedure.For example, the HNB rejects UEs due to updated access control or aclosed user group list received from the HNB-GW. In some embodiments,the updates from the HNB-GW may be forced by the HNB-GW by sending aHNBAP DEREGISTER message and subsequently re-registrating the HNB.

12. Relocation

a. Relocation—CS Relocation from HNB to UTRAN Target

FIG. 40 illustrates the CS Handover from HNB to a UTRAN cell, in someembodiments. This figure includes HNB 4005, UE 4010, HNB-GW 4015, CN4020, and RNC 4025. In some embodiments, this procedure is performedwhen the UE 4010 is on an active call on the HNB 4005 and has beenordered (by the HNB 4005) to make measurements on neighboring macroUTRAN cells. In addition, it is assumed, the HNB 4005 is able to derivethe neighbor list configuration (for example, by using a scan of itsneighbor cells or be provisioned by the HNB management system) and theHNB 4005 is able to distinguish other neighboring HNBs from the macrocells. In some embodiments, the HNB 4005 is able to retrieve from theHNB-GW 4015 (using HNBAP registration procedures) the target RNC-Idinformation for each of the neighbor cells. In some other embodiments,the target RNC-Id mapping is obtained from the HNB Management systemduring HNB initialization.

As shown, the UE 4010 sends (at step 1) periodic Measurement Reports(Signal Measurements) to the HNB 4005. The handover may be triggered asa result of the UE Measurement Reports indicating better signal strengthon a neighboring macro cell. The HNB 4005 makes a decision (at step 2)on handover (e.g., based on the Measurement Reports from the UE 4010 orany uplink quality indications received from the HNB-GW 4015) andselects a target UTRAN cell. The HNB 4005 then sends RANAP RelocationRequired messages encapsulated in the RUA header to the HNB-GW 4015.This message would carry the necessary information such as the targetcell id necessary to communicate with the CN 4020 and target UTRANsystem (here, the RNC 4025). The HNB-GW 4015 relays (at step 3) theRANAP Relocation Required messages to the CN entity in the appropriatedomain (using the domain indicator from the RUA header).

The CN 4020 starts (at step 4) the handover procedure towards the targetRNC 4025 identified by the Target-Id in the Relocation Required messagefrom the HNB-GW 4015. The CN 4020 requests that the target RNC 4025allocate the necessary resources using a Relocation Request message. Thetarget RNC 4025 builds (at step 5) a Physical Channel Reconfigurationmessage providing information on the allocated UTRAN resources and sendsit to the CN 4020 through the Relocation Request Acknowledge message.The CN 4020 signals (at step 6) the HNB-GW 4015 to handover the UE 4010to the UTRAN, using a Relocation Command message (which includes thePhysical Channel Reconfiguration message), ending the handoverpreparation phase.

The HNB-GW 4015 relays (at step 7) the RANAP Relocation Command messageto the HNB 4005 with the appropriate RUA header information. The HNB4005 extracts (at step 8) the Physical Channel Reconfiguration messageand sends it to the UE 4010 over the Uu interface. The UE 4010 performs(at step 9) a handover into the new cell via uplink synchronization tothe target RNS on the Uu interface. The target RNC 4025 confirms (atstep 10) the detection of the handover to the CN 4020, using theRelocation Detect message. The CN 4020 may at this point switch (at step11) the user plane to the target RNS.

Upon completion of synchronization with the target RNS, the UE 4010signals (at step 12) completion of handover using the Physical ChannelReconfiguration Complete message. The target RNC 4025 confirms (at step13) handover completion by sending the Relocation Complete message tothe CN 4020. Bi-directional voice traffic is now flowing (at step 14)between the UE 4010 and CN 4020, via the UTRAN.

On receiving the confirmation of the completion of the handover, the CN4020 indicates (at step 15) to the HNB-GW 4015 to release any resourcesallocated to the UE 4005, via the Iu Release Command. The HNB-GW 4015relays (at step 16) the RANAP Iu Release Command message to the HNB4005. The HNB 4005 confirms (at step 17) UE specific resource releaseusing the RUA encapsulated RANAP Iu Release Complete message to theHNB-GW 4015. The HNB-GW 4015 confirms (at step 18) resource release tothe CN 4020 using the Iu Release Complete message. Additionally, theHNB-GW 4015 may also release any local resources for the specific UE(e.g., ATM resources reserved for the voice bearer, etc). The HNB 4005deregisters (at step 19) the UE 4010 from the HNB-GW 4015, using anexplicit HNBAP DEREGISTER message.

b. Relocation—CS Relocation from HNB to GERAN Target

FIG. 41 illustrates the CS handover from HNB to GERAN procedure, in someembodiments. This figure includes HNB 4105, UE 4110, HNB-GW 4115, CN4120, and the (target) BSC 4125. The description of the procedures inthis clause assume the UE 4110 is on an active call on the HNB 4105 andhas been ordered (by the HNB 4105) to make inter RAT measurements onneighboring GSM cells. It is also assumed the HNB 4105 is able to derivethe neighbor list configuration (using a scan of its neighbor cells). Insome embodiments, the HNB 4105 is able to distinguish other neighboringHNBs from the macro cells.

As shown, the UE 4110 sends (at step 1) a periodic Measurement Report(Signal Measurement) to the HNB 4105. The handover is triggered as aresult of the UE Measurement Reports indicating better signal strengthon neighboring macro GSM cell.

The HNB 4105 makes a decision on handover (e.g., based on theMeasurement Reports from the UE 4110 or any uplink quality indicationsreceived from the HNB-GW 4115) and selects a target GERAN cell. The HNB4105 then sends (at step 2) a RANAP Relocation Required messagesencapsulated in the RUA header to the HNB-GW 4115. This message wouldcarry the necessary information such as the target CGI necessary tocommunicate with the CN 4120 and target GERAN system (here the BSC4125). The HNB-GW 4115 relays (at step 3) the RANAP Relocation Requiredmessages to the CN entity in the appropriate domain (using the domainindicator from the RUA header).

The CN 4120 starts (at step 4) the handover procedure towards the targetGERAN (again, here the BSC 4125) identified by the Target-Id (i.e., CGI)in the Relocation Required message from the HNB-GW 4115. The CN 4120requests the BSC 4125 to allocate the necessary resources using HandoverRequest. The BSC 4125 builds (at step 5) a Handover Command messageproviding information on the channel allocated and sends it to the CN4120 through the Handover Request Acknowledge message. The CN 4120signals (at step 6) the HNB-GW 4115 to handover the UE 4110 to the BSC4125, using Relocation Command message (which includes the DTAP HandoverCommand message), ending the handover preparation phase.

The HNB-GW 4115 relays (at step 7) the RANAP Relocation Command messageto the HNB 4105 with the appropriate RUA header information. The HNB4105 extracts (at step 8) the DTAP Handover Command message and sends itto the UE 4110 using the Uu: Handover from UTRAN message. The UE 4110transmits (at step 9) the Um: Handover Access containing the handoverreference element to allow the BSC 4125 to correlate this handoveraccess with the Handover Command message transmitted earlier to the CN4120 in response to the Handover Request.

The BSC 4125 confirms (at step 10) the detection of the handover to theCN 4120, using the Handover Detect message. The CN 4120 may at thispoint switch (at step 11) the user plane to the target BSS (not shown).The BSC 4125 provides (at step 12) Physical Information to the UE 4110(i.e., Timing Advance), to allow the UE 4110 to synchronize with the BSC4125. The UE 4110 signals (at step 13) to the BSC 4125 that the handoveris completed, using Handover Complete. The BSC 4125 confirms (at step14) to the CN 4120 the completion of the handover, via Handover Completemessage. In some embodiments, the CN 4120 uses the target CGI used inthe Handover procedure for charging purposes. Bi-directional voicetraffic is now flowing (at step 15) between the UE 4110 and CN 4120, viathe GERAN.

On receiving the confirmation of the completion of the handover, the CN4120 indicates (at step 16) to the HNB-GW 4115 to release any resourcesallocated to the UE 4110, via the Iu Release Command. The HNB-GW 4115relays (at step 17) the RANAP Iu Release Command message to the HNB4105. The HNB 4105 confirms (at step 18) UE specific resource releaseusing the RUA encapsulated RANAP Iu Release Complete message to theHNB-GW 4115. The HNB-GW 4115 relays (at step 19) the RANAP Iu ReleaseComplete message to the CN 4120. The HNB 4105 deregisters (at step 20)the UE 4110 from the HNB-GW 4115, using an explicit HNBAP DEREGISTERmessage.

c. Relocation—PS Relocation from HNB to UTRAN Target

FIG. 42 illustrates the PS Handover from HNB to UTRAN, in someembodiments. This figure includes HNB 4205, UE 4210, HNB-GW 4215, CN4220, and the (target) RNC 4225. In some embodiments, the UE 4210 is onan active call on the HNB 4205 and the UE 4210 has been ordered (by theHNB 4205) to make measurements on neighboring macro UTRAN cells. Inaddition, the HNB 4205 is able to derive the neighbor list configuration(using a scan of its neighbor cells) and the HNB 4205 is able todistinguish other neighboring HNBs from the macro cells. In someembodiments, the HNB 4205 is able to retrieve from the HNB-GW 4215(using HNBAP registration procedures) the target RNC-Id information foreach of the neighbor cells. In some other embodiments, the target RNC-Idmapping can also be obtained from the HNB Management system during HNBinitialization.

As shown, the UE 4210 sends (at step 1) a periodic Measurement Report(Signal Measurement) to the HNB 4205. The handover is triggered as aresult of the UE Measurement Reports indicating better signal strengthon a neighboring macro cell. The HNB 4205 makes a decision to handoverbased on the Measurement Reports from the UE 4210 and selects a targetUTRAN cell (here, the RNC 4225). The HNB 4205 then sends (at step 2) aRANAP Relocation Required messages encapsulated in the RUA header to theHNB-GW 4215. This message would carry the necessary information such asthe target cell id necessary to communicate with the CN 4220 and the RNC4225. The HNB-GW 4215 relays (at step 3) the RANAP Relocation Requiredmessages to the CN entity in the appropriate domain (using the domainindicator from the RUA header).

The CN 4220 starts (at step 4) the handover procedure towards the RNC4225 identified by the Target-Id in the Relocation Required message fromthe HNB-GW 4215. The CN 4220 requests from the RNC 4225 to allocate thenecessary resources using Relocation Request. The RNC 4225 builds (atstep 5) a Physical Channel Reconfiguration message providing informationon the allocated UTRAN resources and sends it to the CN 4220 through theRelocation Request Acknowledge message. The CN 4220 signals (at step 6)the HNB-GW 4215 to handover the UE 4205 to the RNC 4225, using aRelocation Command message (which includes the Physical ChannelReconfiguration message), ending the handover preparation phase. TheHNB-GW 4215 relays (at step 7) the RANAP Relocation Command message tothe HNB 4205 with the appropriate RUA header information. The order ofsteps from Step 8 onwards doesn't necessarily indicate the order ofevents. For example, steps 8 to 10 may be performed by the HNB 4205almost simultaneously. The HNB 4205 may begin (at step 8) forwarding thedata for the radio access bearers (RABs) which are subject to dataforwarding. For each radio bearer which uses lossless PDCP, the GTP-PDUsrelated to transmitted but not yet acknowledged PDCP-PDUs are duplicatedand routed at an IP layer towards the target RNC 4225 together withtheir related downlink PDCP sequence numbers. The HNB 4205 continuestransmitting duplicates of downlink data and receiving uplink data.

The HNB 4205 extracts (at step 9) the Physical Channel Reconfigurationmessage and sends it to the UE 4210 over the Uu interface. The HNB 4205sends (at step 10) a RANAP Forward SRNS Context message to the HNB-GW4215 to transfer the SRNS contexts to the RNC 4225 via HNB-GW 4215. TheHNB-GW 4215 relays (at step 11) the corresponding Forward SRNS Contextmessage to the associated CN node.

The CN 4220 relays (at step 12) the SRNS Context information to the RNC4225. The UE 4210 performs (at step 13) a handover into the new cell viauplink synchronization to the target RNS on the Uu interface. The RNC4225 confirms (at step 14) the detection of the handover to the CN 4220,using the Relocation Detect message. Upon completion of synchronizationwith the target RNS (not shown), the UE 4210 signals (at step 15)completion of handover using the Physical Channel ReconfigurationComplete message.

The RNC 4225 confirms (at step 16) handover completion by sending theRelocation Complete message to the CN 4220. On receiving theconfirmation of the completion of the handover, the CN 4220 indicates(at step 17) to the HNB-GW 4215 to release any resources allocated tothe UE 4210, via the Iu Release Command. At this point, the CN 4220 willalso switch the PS user plane from the HNB-GW 4215 to the target RNS.The HNB-GW 4215 relays (at step 18) the RANAP Iu Release Command messageto the HNB 4205. The HNB 4205 confirms (at step 19) UE specific resourcerelease using the RUA encapsulated RANAP Iu Release Complete message tothe HNB-GW 4215. The HNB-GW 4215 confirms (at step 20) resource releaseto the CN 4220 using the Iu Release Complete message. The HNB 4205deregisters (at step 21) the UE 4210 from the HNB-GW 4215, using anexplicit HNBAP DEREGISTER message.

d. Relocation—PS Relocation from HNB to GERAN Target

FIG. 43 illustrates the PS handover from HNB to GERAN procedure, in someembodiments. This figure includes HNB 4305, UE 4310, HNB-GW 4315, CN4320, and BSC 4325. In some embodiments, the UE 4310 is on an activecall on the HNB 4305 and has been ordered (by the HNB 4305) to makeinter RAT measurements on neighboring GSM cells. Additionally, the HNB4305 is able to derive the neighbor list configuration (using a scan ofits neighbor cells). In some embodiments, the HNB 4305 is able todistinguish other neighboring HNBs from the macro cells.

As shown, the UE 4310 sends (at step 1) a periodic Measurement Report(Signal Measurement) to the HNB 4305. The handover is triggered as aresult of the UE Measurement Reports indicating better signal strengthon a neighboring GSM cell. The HNB 4305 makes a decision (at step 2) tohandover based on the Measurement Reports from the UE 4310 and selects atarget GERAN cell (here, the BSC 4325). The HNB 4305 then sends RANAPRelocation Required messages encapsulated in the RUA header to theHNB-GW 4315. This message would carry the necessary information such asthe target cell id necessary to communicate with the CN 4320 and targetGERAN system. The HNB-GW 4315 relays (at step 3) the RANAP RelocationRequired messages to the CN 4320 in the appropriate domain (using thedomain indicator from the RUA header).

The CN 4320 (i.e., SGSN) and Target BSS complete (at steps 4-6) theUTRAN to GERAN PS handover preparation as described in 3GPP TechnicalSpecification 43.129 entitled “Packet-switched handover for GERAN A/Gbmode; Stage 2” the contents of which are herein incorporated byreference. The CN 4320 signals (at step 7) the HNB-GW 4315 to handoverthe UE 4310 to the BSC 4325, using a RANAP Relocation Command message.The HNB-GW 4315 relays (at step 8) the RANAP Relocation Command messageto the HNB 4305 with the appropriate RUA header information.

The HNB 4305 may begin forwarding (at step 9) the data for the RadioAccess Bearers (RABs) which are subject to data forwarding per thedescription in 3GPP TS 43.129. The HNB 4305 sends (at step 10) theHandover from UTRAN message and sends it to the UE 4305 over the Uuinterface. The HNB 4305 sends (at step 11) a RUA encapsulated RANAPForward SRNS Context message to the HNB-GW 4315 to transfer the SRNScontexts to the BSC 4325. The HNB-GW 4315 relays (at step 12) thecorresponding Forward SRNS Context message to the associated CN node.The CN 4320 relays (at step 13) the SRNS Context information to the BSC4325. The UE 4310 executes (at step 14) the GERAN A/Gb PS handoveraccess procedures as described in 3GPP TS 43.129.

After successfully accessing the GERAN cell, the UE 4310 and BSC 4325complete (at step 15) the GERAN PS handover procedures as described in3GPP TS 43.129. The BSC 4325 confirms (at step 16) handover completionby sending the Handover Complete message to the CN 4320. On receivingthe confirmation of the completion of the handover, the CN 4320indicates (at step 17) to the HNB-GW 4315 to release any resourcesallocated to the UE 4310, via the Iu Release Command. The HNB-GW 4315relays (at step 18) the RANAP Iu Release Command message to the HNB4305.

When the HNB data forwarding timer has expired, the HNB 4305 confirms(step 19) UE-specific resource release using the RUA encapsulated RANAPIu Release Complete message to the HNB-GW 4315. The HNB-GW 4315 confirms(at step 20) resource release to the CN 4320 using the Iu ReleaseComplete message. The HNB 4305 deregisters (at step 21) the UE 4310 fromthe HNB-GW 4315, using an explicit HNBAP DEREGISTER message. The UE 4310performs (at step 22) the Routing Area Update procedures through the BSC4325.

IV. CALL MANAGEMENT A. Overview

1. CS User Plane Establishment (ATM Transport)

FIG. 44 illustrates CS bearer establishment (ATM transport) procedures(for MO/MT calls, using Iu-UP over AAL2), in some embodiments. In somesuch embodiments, an ATM interface exists between the HNB-GW 4415 andthe MSC 4420.

As shown, signaling for a call origination or termination is in progress(at step 1). The MSC 4420 sends (at step 2) a RAB Assignment Requestmessage to the HNB-GW 4415. The assignment request contains the addressfor ALCAP signaling (an ATM E.164 or NSAP address) and also thebinding-id. The HNB-GW 4415 will initiate (at step 3) ALCAP signalingtowards the MSC 4420 using the ATM address and the binding-id. The MSC4420 acknowledges (at step 4) the AAL2 connection request using theALCAP Establish confirm message.

At this point an AAL2 connection with appropriate QoS exists (at step 5)between the HNB-GW 4415 and the MSC 4420. The HNB-GW 4415 forwards (atstep 6) the RUA encapsulated RANAP RAB Assignment Request message to theHNB 4405 to prepare a bearer connection between the endpoints. TheHNB-GW 4415 assigns an IP address and a RTP port for this specificbearer towards the HNB 4405. The HNB-GW 4415 modifies the RANAP RABAssignment Request message to remove ATM specific transport informationand replaces it with the necessary information (e.g., RTP port and IPaddress of the HNB-GW 4415) for setup of Iu-UP over IP between the HNB4405 and HNB-GW 4415. The HNB 4405 upon receiving the RANAP RABAssignment Request message triggers the setup of Iu-UP by sending (atstep 7) an Iu-UP Init user plane control message over the specified IPtransport to the HNB-GW 4415. The HNB-GW 4415 switches (at step 8) thetransport layer and relays the Iu-UP Init message towards the CN (notshown) over the corresponding AAL2 connection which was setup in step 5.

The MSC 4420 responds (at step 9) back to the HNB-GW 4415 with Iu-UPInit Ack message over the corresponding AAL2 connection. The HNB-GW 4415relays (at step 10) the Iu-UP Init Ack message the HNB 4405 over thecorresponding RTP transport. The HNB 4405 will initiate (at step 11)appropriate RRC layer Radio Bearer Setup message towards the UE 4410.The UE 4410 confirms (at step 12) the setup via Radio Bearer SetupComplete message to the HNB 4405.

The HNB 4405 then sends (at step 13) a RUA encapsulated RANAP RABAssignment Response message to the HNB-GW 4415, including the local IPaddress and port to be used for the Iu-UP over the Iuh interface. TheHNB-GW 4415 replaces (at step 14) the IP transport information with ATMspecific transport information and forwards the RANAP RAB AssignmentResponse message to the CN signaling the completion of RAB assignment.At this point, there is (at steps 15 a-c) CS bearer between the UE 4410and the MSC 4420 via the HNB 4405 and the HNB-GW MGW. The rest of thecall establishment continues.

2. CS User Plane Establishment (IP Transport)

FIG. 45 illustrates CS bearer establishment (IP transport) procedures(for MO/MT calls, using Iu-UP over AAL2), in some embodiments. In somesuch embodiments, an IP interface exists between the HNB-GW 4515 and theMSC 4520.

As shown, signaling for a call origination or termination is in progress(at step 1). The MSC 4520 sends (at step 2) a RAB Assignment Requestmessage to the HNB-GW 4515. The assignment request contains thenecessary information for IP based transport setup of the CS bearer. TheHNB-GW 4515 forwards (at step 3) the RUA encapsulated RANAP RABAssignment Request message to the HNB 4505 for preparing a bearerconnection between the endpoints. In some embodiments, the HNB-GW 4515assigns a local IP address of the HNB-GW 4515 and a RTP port for thisspecific bearer towards the HNB 4505 and modifies the RANAP RABAssignment Request message to replace the necessary information (e.g.,RTP port and IP address of the HNB-GW 4515) for setup of Iu-UP over IPbetween the HNB 4505 and HNB-GW 4515.

The HNB 4505, upon receiving the RANAP RAB Assignment Request message,triggers (at step 4) the setup of Iu-UP by sending an Iu-UP Init userplane control message over the specified IP transport to the HNB-GW4515. The HNB-GW 4515 relays (at step 5) the Iu-UP Init message towardsthe CN (here, MSC 4520) over the corresponding CN IP transport. The MSC4520 responds (at step 6) back to the HNB-GW 4515 with Iu-UP Init Ackmessage. The HNB-GW 4515 relays (at step 7) the Iu-UP Init Ack messageto the HNB 4505 over the corresponding IP transport. The HNB 4505 willinitiate (at step 8) an appropriate RRC layer Radio Bearer Setup messagetowards the UE 4510. The UE 4510 confirms (at step 9) the setup via aRadio Bearer Setup Complete message to the HNB 4505.

The HNB 4505 then sends (at step 10) a RUA encapsulated RANAP RABAssignment Response message to the HNB-GW 4515, including the local IPaddress and port to be used for the Iu-UP over the Iuh interface. TheHNB-GW 4515 replaces (at step 11) the IP transport information withlocal HNB-GW specific transport information and forwards the RANAP RABAssignment Response message to the CN. The RANAP RAB Assignment Responsemessage signals the completion of RAB assignment. At this point, thereis (at steps 12 a-c) a CS bearer between the UE 4510 and MSC 4520 viathe HNB 4505 and the HNB-GW MGW (here, part of 4515). The rest of thecall establishment continues.

B. Call Management Services

1. Mobile Originated Call

FIG. 46 illustrates a mobile originated call over HNB procedure, in someembodiments. As shown, the UE 4610 in idle mode originates (at step 1) acall. The UE 4610 establishes (at step 2) a RRC connection with the HNB4605. Upon request from the upper layers, the UE 4610 sends (at step 3)the CM Service Request to the HNB 4605. The HNB 4605 sends (at step 4) aRUA encapsulated RANAP Initial UE Message towards the HNB-GW 4615. Insome embodiments, this RUA message can be the RUA Connect message thusindicating to the HNB-GW the initial message for that particular UEsignaling.

The HNB-GW 4615 establishes (at steps 5 a-b) an SCCP connection to theMSC 4620 and forwards the RANAP Initial UE Message to the MSC 4620 overthe corresponding SCCP connection. The MSC 4620 authenticates (at step6) the HNB 4605 using standard UTRAN authentication procedures. The MSC4620 also initiates the Security Mode Control procedure described inprevious sections. The UE 4610 sends (at step 7) the Setup message tothe HNB 4605 providing details on the call to the MSC 4620 and itsbearer capability and supported codecs. The HNB 4605 forwards (at step8) this Setup message within the RUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfermessage to the HNB-GW 4615. The HNB-GW 4615 relays (at step 9) the RANAPDirect Transfer (Setup) message to the MSC 4620.

The MSC 4620 indicates (at step 10) it has received the call setup andit will accept no additional call-establishment information using theCall Proceeding message to the HNB-GW 4615. The HNB-GW 4615 forwards (atstep 11) the RUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer (Call Proceeding)message to the HNB 4605. The HNB 4605 relays (at step 12) the CallProceeding message to the UE 4610 over the air interface. An end to endbearer path is established (at step 13) between the MSC 4620 and UE 4610using one of the procedures shown in previous sections.

The MSC 4620 signals (at step 14) to the UE 4610, with the Alertingmessage, that the B-Party is ringing. The message is transferred to theHNB-GW 4615. The HNB-GW 4615 forwards (at step 15) the RUA encapsulatedRANAP Direct Transfer (Alerting) message to the HNB 4605. The HNB 4605relays (at step 16) the Alerting message to the UE 4610 and if the UE4610 has not connected the audio path to the user, it generates ringback to the calling party. Otherwise, the network-generated ring backwill be returned to the calling party. The MSC 4620 signals (at step 17)that the called party has answered, via the Connect message. The messageis transferred to the HNB-GW 4615.

HNB-GW 4615 forwards (at step 18) the RUA encapsulated RANAP DirectTransfer (Connect) message to the HNB 4605. The HNB 4605 relays (at step19) the Connect message to the UE 4610 and the UE 4610 connects the userto the audio path. If the UE 4610 is generating ring back, it stops andconnects the user to the audio path. The UE 4610 sends (at step 20) theConnect Ack in response, and the two parties are connected for the voicecall. The HNB 4605 forwards (at step 21) this Connect Ack message withinthe RUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer message to the HNB-GW 4615.The HNB-GW 4615 forwards (at step 22) the Connect Ack message to the MSC4620. The end-to-end two way path is now in place and bi-directionalvoice traffic flows (at step 23) between the UE 4610 and MSC 4620through the HNB 4605 and the HNB-GW 4615.

2. Mobile Terminated Call

FIG. 47 illustrates a mobile terminated PSTN-to-mobile call procedure,in some embodiments. The MSC 4720 sends (at step 1) a RANAP Pagingmessage to the HNB-GW 4715 identified through the last Location Updatereceived by it and includes the TMSI if available. The IMSI of themobile being paged is always included in the request. The HNB-GW 4715identifies (at step 2) the UE registration context and the HNB 4705using the IMSI provided by the MSC 4720. The HNB-GW 4715 then forwardsthe RANAP Paging message to the corresponding HNB 4705 with the RANAPPaging message encapsulated by the RUA header. The HNB 4705 relays (atstep 3) the Paging request to the UE 4710. In some embodiments, the HNB4705 uses Paging Type I or II based on the RRC state of the UE 4710 asdescribed in 3GPP technical specification TS 25.331 entitled “RadioResource Control (RRC) protocol specification”, incorporated herein byreference, and referred to herein as TS 25.331.

The UE 4710 establishes (at step 4) an RRC connection with the HNB 4705if one doesn't exist. This step is omitted if there is an alreadyexisting RRC connection (e.g., an RRC connection may have beenestablished for PS domain). The UE 4710 processes (at step 5) the pagingrequest and sends the Paging response to the HNB 4705. The HNB 4705sends (at step 6) a RUA encapsulated RANAP Initial UE Message carryingthe paging response from the UE 4710 towards the HNB-GW 4715. In someembodiments, this RUA message can be the RUA Connect message thusindicating to the HNB-GW the initial message for that particular UEsignaling. The HNB-GW 4715 establishes (at step 7) an SCCP connection tothe MSC 4720. The HNB-GW 4715 then forwards the paging response to theMSC 4720 using the RANAP Initial UE Message.

The MSC 4720 authenticates (at step 8) the HNB 4705 using standard UTRANauthentication procedures. The MSC 4720 also initiates the Security ModeControl procedures. The MSC 4720 initiates (at step 9) call setup usingthe Setup message sent to the HNB 4705 via the HNB-GW 4710. The HNB-GW4710 forwards (at step 10) the RUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer(Setup) message to the HNB 4705. The HNB 4705 relays (at step 11) theSetup message to the UE 4710.

The UE 4710 responds (at step 12) with Call Confirmed after checkingit's compatibility with the bearer service requested in the Setup andmodifying the bearer service as needed. If the Setup included the signalinformation element, the UE 4710 alerts the user using the indicatedsignal, otherwise the UE 4710 alerts the user after the successfulconfiguration of the user plane.

The HNB 4705 relays (at step 13) the Call Confirmed to the HNB-GW 4715using the RUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer. The HNB-GW 4715forwards (at step 14) the Call Confirmed message to the MSC 4720 usingRANAP Direct Transfer message. An end to end bearer path is established(at step 15) between the MSC 4720 and UE 4710 using one of theprocedures shown in previous sections.

The UE 4710 signals (at step 16) that it is alerting the user, via theAlerting message to the HNB 4705. The HNB 4705 relays (at step 17) theAlerting message to the HNB-GW 4715 using the RUA encapsulated RANAPDirect Transfer message. The HNB-GW 4715 forwards (at step 18) theAlerting message to the MSC 4720. The UE 4710 signals (at step 19) thatthe called party has answered, via the Connect message. The HNB 4705relays (at step 20) the Connect message to the HNB-GW 4715 using the RUAencapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer message. The HNB-GW 4715 forwards (atstep 21) the Connect message to the MSC 4720. The MSC 4720 acknowledges(at step 22) via the Connect Ack message to the HNB-GW 4715.

The HNB-GW 4715 forwards (at step 23) the RUA encapsulated RANAP DirectTransfer (Connect Ack) message to the HNB 4705. The HNB 4705 relays (atstep 24) the Connect Ack to the UE 4710. The two parties on the call areconnected on the audio path. The end-to-end two way path is now in placeand bi-directional voice traffic flows (at step 25) between the UE 4710and MSC 4720 through the HNB 4705 and the HNB-GW 4715.

C. Call Release

FIG. 48 illustrates a call release by an HNB subscriber procedure, insome embodiments. The HNB subscriber requests (at step 1) call release(e.g., by pressing the END button). Upon request from the upper layers,the UE 4810 sends (at step 2) the Disconnect NAS message to the HNB4805. The HNB 4805 relays (at step 3) the Disconnect message to theHNB-GW 4815 using the RUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer message.The HNB-GW 4815 relays (at step 4) the Disconnect message to the MSC4820 via RANAP Direct Transfer message.

The MSC 4820 sends (at step 5) a Release to the HNB-GW 4820 using aRANAP Direct Transfer message. The HNB-GW 4815 forwards (at step 6) theRUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer (Release) message to the HNB4805. The HNB 4805 sends (at step 7) the Release message to the UE 4810over the air interface. The UE 4810 confirms (at step 8) the Release viathe Release Complete message to the HNB 4805. The HNB 4805 relays (atstep 9) the Release Complete message to the HNB-GW 4815 using the RUAencapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer message. The HNB-GW 4815 forwards (atstep 10) the message to the MSC 4820 using a RANAP Direct Transfermessage. At this point, the MSC 4820 considers the connection released.

The MSC 4820 sends (at step 11) an Iu Release Command to the HNB-GW 4815indicating a request to release the call resources. The SCCP ConnectionIdentifier is used to determine the corresponding call. The HNB-GW 4815forwards (at step 12) the RUA encapsulated RANAP Iu Release Commandmessage to the HNB 4805. The HNB 4805 in turn releases any radioresource associated for the specific call. In some embodiments, whenthere is an active PS session for the UE 4810, the RRC connection maynot be released by the HNB 4805, and only the corresponding CS radiobearers are released.

The HNB 4805 acknowledges (at step 14) the radio resource to the HNB-GW4815 using the RUA encapsulated RANAP Iu Release Complete message. Insome embodiments, this RUA message can be the RUA Disconnect messagethus indicating to the HNB-GW the final message for that particular UEsignaling. The HNB-GW 4815 releases (at step 15) any local resources(such as ATM transport or IP transport resources). The HNB-GW 4815 thenforwards (at step 16) the resource release to the MSC using the IuRelease Complete message to the MSC. The SCCP connection associated withthe call between the HNB-GW and the MSC is released as well.

D. Other Calling Scenarios

In some embodiments, the HNB solution supports additional callingscenarios. For example, the HNB solution supports calling lineidentification presentation (CLIP), calling line identificationrestriction (CLIR), connected line identification presentation (CoLP),connected line identification restriction (CoLR), call forwardingunconditional, call forwarding busy, call forwarding no reply, callforwarding not reachable, call waiting (CW), call hold (CH), multi-party(MPTY), closed user group (CUG), advice of charge (AoC), user usersignaling (UUS), call barring (CB), explicit call transfer (ECT), nameidentification, and completion of calls to busy subscriber (CCBS).

These supplementary services involve procedures that operate end-to-endbetween the UE and the MSC. Beyond the basic DTAP messages alreadydescribed for mobile originated and mobile terminated calls, thefollowing DTAP messages are used for these additional supplementaryservice purposes: HOLD, HOLD-ACKNOWLEDGE, HOLD-REJECT, RETRIEVE,RETRIEVE-ACKNOWLEDGE, RETRIEVE-REJECT, FACILITY, USER-INFORMATION,CONGESTION-CONTROL, CM-SERVICE-PROMPT, START-CC, CC-ESTABLISHMENT,CC-ESTABLISHMENT-CONFIRMED, and RECALL.

These DTAP message are relayed between the UE and MSC by the HNB andHNB-GW in the same manner as in the other call control and mobilitymanagement scenarios described above. FIG. 49 illustrates an examplerelay of DTAP supplementary service messages, in some embodiments.

As shown, there is an existing MM connection established (at step 1)between the UE 4910 and the MSC 4920 for an ongoing call. The userrequests (at step 2) a particular supplementary service operation (e.g.,to put the call on hold).

The UE 4910 sends (at step 3) the HOLD message to the HNB 4905 over theair which in turn forwards the message to HNB-GW 4915, embedded in a RUAencapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer message. The HNB-GW 4915 relays theDTAP HOLD message to the MSC 4920 over the Iu-interface. The DTAPHOLD-ACK message is sent (at step 4) from MSC 4920 to UE 4910 in ananalogous manner.

Later in the call, the user requests (at step 5) another supplementaryservice operation (e.g., to initiate a Multi-Party call). The UE 4910sends (at step 6) the FACILITY message to the HNB 4905 over the airinterface which in turn forwards the message to the HNB-GW 4915. TheHNB-GW 4915 relays the DTAP FACILITY message to the MSC 4920 over theIu-interface. The DTAP FACILITY message containing the response is sent(at step 7) from the MSC 4920 to the UE 4910 in an analogous manner.

V. PACKET SERVICES A. PS Signaling Procedures

In some embodiments, a single SCTP connection to the HNB-GW per HNB isestablished for the transport of signaling messages from that HNB. ThisSCTP connection is used to transport CS and PS related signaling and SMSmessages for all the UEs from the HNB.

1. UE Initiated PS Signaling Procedure

For UE initiated PS related signaling, the UE sends a PS signalingmessage to the CN, via the HNB-GW which forwards it to the CN over theIu-PS interface as per standard UMTS (e.g., the signaling message mayinclude GMM attach or SM PDP context activation message). The HNB-GWencapsulates the received signaling message within a RANAP DirectTransfer message that is forwarded to the SGSN over the Iu-PS interface.

FIG. 50 illustrates an uplink control plane data transport procedure, insome embodiments. Initially, the UE 5010 is ready to send an uplinksignaling message for PS services to the CN (SGSN) 5020. This could beany of the GMM or SM signaling messages.

As shown, when the RRC connection does not exist, the UE 5010 initiates(at step 1) a RRC Connection establishment procedure as per standard3GPP procedure. Upon successful RRC Connection establishment, the UE5010 forwards (at step 2) a Service Request message to the SGSN 5020 viathe HNB 5005 indicating a PS Signaling message. The HNB 5005 sends (atstep 3) the Service Request within the RUA encapsulated RANAP Initial UEmessage to the HNB-GW 5015.

In some embodiments, the RUA encapsulated RANAP Initial UE message sentat step 3 is an INITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER message of the HNB system. TheINITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER is used to transfer the RANAP “Initial UEMessage” that is encapsulated in the INITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER from theHNB to an indicated core network domain. Specifically, the INITIALDIRECT TRANSFER message explicitly indicates the start of acommunication session and the message contains parameters used to routethe establishment of a signaling connection from the HNB-GW to a CN nodewithin a CN domain, such as the SGSN, when no signaling connectionexists. By using this explicit message, the HNB-GW is explicitlynotified of impending signaling connection without having to process thecontents of the message. In some embodiments, this RUA message can bethe RUA Connect message thus indicating to the HNB-GW the initialmessage for that particular UE signaling.

The HNB-GW 5015 forwards (at step 4) the Service Request to the CN(specifically the SGSN) 5020 encapsulated within the Initial Iu message.In some embodiments, the CN (SGSN) 5020 may initiate (at step 5) asecurity function.

The UE 5010 sends (at step 6) the PS signaling message to the HNB 5005using RRC Uplink Direct Transfer service. The HNB 5005 forwards (at step7) the PS signaling message to the HNB-GW 5015 using a RUA encapsulatedRANAP Direct Transfer message. The HNB-GW 5015 forwards (at step 8) thePS signaling message to the CN (SGSN) 5020 using RANAP Direct Transfermessage.

2. Network Initiated PS Signaling Procedure

For Network initiated PS related signaling, the Core Network sends a PSsignaling message to the HNB-GW via the Iu-PS interface as per standardUMTS (e.g., the signaling message may include GMM attach accept or SMPDP context activation accept message). The HNB-GW encapsulates theRANAP received signaling message within the RUA header and forwards itto the HNB via the existing SCTP signaling connection.

FIG. 51 illustrates a downlink control plane data transport procedure,in some embodiments. Initially, the CN (SGSN) 5120 is ready to send adownlink signaling message for PS services to the UE 5110. This could beany of the GMM or SM signaling messages. Given that the signalingprocedure is network initiated and if the UE 5110 is in PMM-IDLE state,the SGSN 5120 will first page the UE 5110. If the UE 5110 is inPMM-CONNECTED state, the SGSN 5120 will send the downlink PS signalingmessage using RANAP Direct Transfer procedure starting with step 9.

However, if the UE 5120 is in PMM-IDLE state, the CN (SGSN) 5120 sends(at step 1) the RANAP Paging request to the UE 5110 via the HNB-GW 5115to locate the user. The paging request indicates paging for PS Domain.Optionally, if the paging request was received, the HNB-GW 5115identifies (at step 2) the target HNB 5105 and forwards the requestusing the RUA encapsulated RANAP Paging message to the HNB 5105.Optionally, if the paging message is received, the HNB 5105 forwards (atstep 3) the PS page to the UE 5110 as per standard 3GPP procedure.Optionally, if the RRC connection does not exist for that UE 5110, it isestablished (at step 4) as per standard 3GPP procedures. Optionally, ifthe page for PS services was received, the UE 5110 responds (at step 5)to the SGSN 5120 via the HNB 5105 with a Service Request messageindicating PS paging response. The Service Request message isencapsulated within the RRC INITIAL DIRECT TRANSFER message.

The HNB 5105 forwards (at step 6) the paging response via a RUAencapsulated RANAP Initial UE message to the HNB-GW 5115. In someembodiments, this RUA message can be the RUA Connect message, thusindicating to the HNB-GW the initial message for that particular UEsignaling. The HNB-GW 5115 establishes SCCP connection towards the CNfor the specified domain and forwards (at step 7) the Service Requestmessage to the SGSN 5120 encapsulated in the RANAP Initial UE Message.Optionally, the CN (SGSN) 5120 initiates (at step 8) Security Function.

The CN (SGSN) 5120 forwards (at step 9) the PS signaling message to theHNB-GW 5115 using RANAP Direct Transfer procedure. The HNB-GW 5115forwards (at step 10) the PS signaling message to the HNB 5105 via RUAencapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer message. The HNB 5105 sends (at step11) the signaling message to the UE 5110 using RRC Downlink DirectTransfer service.

VI. SHORT MESSAGE SERVICES A. Overview

In some embodiments, the HNB system provides support for both circuitmode (CS mode) and packet mode (PS mode) SMS services. In the CS/PS modeof operation, UEs may be able to send and receive short messages usingeither the MM sub-layer or the GMM sub-layer. In some embodiments, UEsusing the PS mode of operation send and receive short messages usingonly GMM sub-layer. Inter-working with HNB related to SMS services isdescribed in the following sections.

1. SMS Services

FIG. 52 illustrates the HNB protocol architecture related to CS and PSdomain SMS support in accordance with some embodiments. This protocolarchitecture builds on the circuit and packet services signalingarchitecture. This figure includes (1) UE 5210, (2) HNB-GW 5215, (3)CN/MSC 5220, (4) SMS layers 5225, (5) MM layer 5235, (6) SM-CP protocol5240; and (7) HNB 5245.

The HNB SMS support is based on the same mechanism that is utilized forCS/PS mobility management and call control. On the UE side, the SMSlayers (including the supporting CM sub-layer functions) utilize theservices of the MM layer 5235 (CS domain) and GMM (PS domain) totransfer SMS messages per standard circuit/packet domain implementation.The SM-CP protocol 5240 is effectively tunneled between the UE 5210 andthe MSC 5220 using the message relay functions in the RUA encapsulatedRANAP messages. As with CS/PS mobility management and call controlprocedures, SMS uses the SCTP signaling connection between the HNB 5245and the HNB-GW 5215, providing reliable SMS delivery over the Iuhinterface.

B. SMS Scenarios

1. Circuit Mode Mobile-Originated SMS

FIG. 53 illustrates a CS mode mobile-originated SMS over HNB scenario,in some embodiments. This figure includes (1) HNB 5305, (2) UE 5310, (3)HNB-GW 5315, (4) CN (MSC) 5320, and (5) SMS interworking MSC (IWMSC)5325. The user enters (at step 1) a message and invokes themobile-originated SMS function on the UE 5310 in idle mode. Steps 2-6are the same as steps 2-7 in FIG. 46. The UE 5310 sends (at step 7) theSMS message encapsulated in a CP-DATA message to the HNB 5305 over theair interface. The HNB 5305 forwards (at step 8) this CP-DATA messagewithin the RUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer message to the HNB-GW5315. The HNB-GW 5315 forwards (at step 9) the CP-DATA message to theMSC 5320 using RANAP Direct Transfer message. The MSC 5320 forwards (atstep 10) the message to the SMSC (not shown) via the SMS interworkingMSC (IWMSC) 5325 using the MAP-MO-FORWARD-SM Invoke message.

The MSC 5320 sends (at step 11) CP-DATA-ACK to acknowledge the receiptof the CP-DATA message. In some embodiments, the SM-CP is designed in away that every CP-DATA block is acknowledged on each point-to-pointconnection between the UE and SMSC (SM Service Center) to ensure thatthe under-laying transport layer (in this case RANAP) works error freesince there is no explicit acknowledgement to a RANAP Direct Transfermessage. The HNB-GW 5315 relays (at step 12) the RUA encapsulated RANAPDirect Transfer (CP-DATA-ACK) message to the HNB 5305. The HNB 5305forwards (at step 13) the CP-DATA-ACK to the UE 5310 over the airinterface.

The SMSC sends (at step 14) an SMS message in response to the IWMSC 5325and the IWMSC 5325 sends the response to the MSC 5320 in theMAP-MO-FORWARD-SM Return Result message. The MSC 5320 relays (at step15) the response to the HNB-GW 5315 in the CP-DATA message. The HNB-GW5315 relays (at step 16) the RUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer(CP-DATA) message to the HNB 5305. The HNB 5305 forwards (at step 17)the response to the UE 5310 over the air interface using the existingRRC connections. As part of SM-CP ack process, the UE 5310 acknowledges(at step 18) the receipt of CP-DATA to the HNB 5305.

The HNB 5305 forwards (at step 19) this CP-DATA-ACK message within theRUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer message to the HNB-GW 5315. TheHNB-GW 5315 forwards (at step 20) the acknowledgement to the MSC 5320using the RANAP Direct Transfer message. The MSC 5320 sends (at step 21)an Iu Release message to the HNB-GW 5315 indicating a request to releasethe session resources. The SCCP Connection Identifier is used todetermine the corresponding session. The HNB-GW 5315 relays (at step 22)the RUA encapsulated RANAP Iu Release message to the HNB 5305. The HNB5305 releases (at step 23) corresponding radio resources towards the UE5310.

The HNB 5305 acknowledges (at step 24) the radio resource to the HNB-GW5315 using the RUA encapsulated RANAP Iu Release Complete message. Insome embodiments, this RUA message can be the RUA Disconnect messagethus indicating to the HNB-GW the final message for that particular UEsignaling. The HNB-GW 5315 then forwards (at step 25) the resourcerelease to the MSC 5320 using the Iu Release Complete message. The SCCPconnection associated with the call between the HNB-GW 5315 and the MSC5320 is released as well.

VII. EMERGENCY SERVICES

Transparent support for emergency services is a key regulatoryrequirement. However, support for emergency services in the HNB systemis complicated by virtue of the fact that the HNBs are deployed on anad-hoc basis by many users. Additionally, these HNBs may be relocated atany time by the user without notice to the service provider. Therefore,some embodiments provide methods and systems for transparentlysupporting emergency services within the HNB system by dynamicallydetermining a location for each of the HNBs. In this manner, someembodiments provide emergency responders the ability to locate aposition of an emergency caller when the caller places the emergencyrequest through a HNB service area. This is referred to below as ServiceArea Based Routing. Some embodiments provide methods and systems fortransparently supporting emergency services within the HNB system basedon location information (e.g. using information derived from the UE orthrough UE assisted location determination). This is referred to belowas Location Based Routing.

The location information is routed through the core network to theappropriate responding node closest to the location of the caller. Thisis done by transparently integrating the HNB system information with theexisting core network components (e.g., Public Safety Answering Point(PSAP)) that facilitate emergency services.

HNB emergency services support capabilities include support for flexibleSAI assignment and HNB-GW assignment functionality. This allows the HNBto be assigned to an HNB-GW that is, in turn, connected to an MSC thatcan route calls to the PSAP in the HNB service area. This also allowsthe service provider to define HNB service areas that align with macronetwork service areas, to leverage the existing service area based PSAProuting approach. HNB emergency services support capabilities alsoinclude support for the retrieval and storage of HNB locationinformation from an external database. In some embodiments, the HNBemergency services support capabilities also include support for theRANAP Location Report procedure, by which the HNB-GW (or HNB) returnsthe HNB/UE location information to the MSC during emergency callprocessing. Additional emergency services support include supportemergency services for any UE with proper SIM card regardless of theaccess control policy of the HNB.

One of the functions of the HNB-GW is to assign a HNB service area forcalls made by the UE using the HNB. The HNB, during registration,provides information on macro coverage (such as macro LAI, macro 3 Gcell-id, etc.) which can be used to derive a HNB Service AreaIdentification (SAI). This HNB SAI can be used to support the ability toroute emergency calls to the correct PSAP (i.e., based on SAI). However,to meet the requirement to route the emergency call to the correct PSAP,some embodiments utilize service area (i.e., SAI) based routing and someother embodiments utilize location based routing.

A. Service Area Based Routing

With Service Area Based Routing, the PSAP routing decision is based oneither the Service Area Code (SAC) contained within the SAI or the LAIcontained within the SAI or the entire SAI (i.e., LAI+SAC). Since theservice area of a HNB spans only several meters, the locationinformation meets regulatory requirements and provides an accuratelocation of the user.

1. Service Area Based Routing of UEs Camped Successfully on the HNB

FIG. 54 illustrates an emergency call routing over HNB using a servicearea procedure in accordance with some embodiments. In some suchembodiments, the UE originates the emergency call after successfullycamping (and registering with the HNB-GW by the HNB) prior to theorigination of the emergency call. This figure includes HNB 5405, UE5410, HNB-GW 5415, MSC 5420, and PSAP 5425.

As shown, the user originates (at step 1) an emergency call using the UE5410 camped on the HNB 5405. The UE 5410 establishes (at step 2) an RRCconnection with the HNB 5405 with the establishment cause of emergencycall. Upon request from the upper layers, the UE 5410 sends (at step 3)the CM Service Request (with CM Service Type set to “Emergency CallEstablishment”) to the HNB 5405. The establishment cause notifies theHNB 5405 that the call being placed by the UE 5410 is to requestemergency services.

The HNB 5405 forwards (at step 4) the CM Service Request within a RUAencapsulated RANAP Initial UE message. In some embodiments, this RUAmessage can be the RUA Connect message thus indicating to the HNB-GW theinitial message for that particular UE signaling. The RUA header alsocarries additional information such as the cause indicating an emergencycall. The cause field in the RUA header allows the HNB-GW 5415 toallocate appropriate resources for emergency call setup without needingto decode the encapsulated RANAP message.

The HNB-GW 5415 establishes (at step 5) an SCCP connection to the MSC5420 and forwards the CM Service Request to the MSC 5420 using the RANAPInitial UE Message. This initial message contains information about thelocation area (LAI) and service area (SAI) assigned to the specific HNBover which the emergency call was initiated. In some embodiments, theLAI and SAI information contained in the RANAP messages is provided tothe HNB by the HNB-GW via HNBAP registration procedures. In someembodiments, the LAI and SAC information contained in the RANAP messageis provided to the HNB by the HNB management system during the initialprovisioning of the HNB.

The MSC 5420, HNB-GW 5415, HNB 5405 and UE 5410 continue (at step 6)call establishment signaling. The MSC 5420 determines the serving PSAPbased on the service area of the calling UE and routes the emergencycall to the appropriate PSAP. Additional signal messages are exchanged(at step 8) between the UE 5410 and the PSAP 5425 and the emergency callis established between the UE 5410 and the appropriate serving PSAP5425.

2. Service Area Based Routing of Unauthorized UEs

As described in the sections above, a UE is required to register withthe HNB system before the UE is provided access to services of the HNBsystem. When the UE is not authorized for HNB service over a particularHNB, the UE is handed over to the licensed wireless radio access networkof a cellular provider or is simply prevented from accessing HNBservices at the particular HNB through appropriate rejection mechanisms.

However, as part of the regulatory requirements for supporting emergencyservices, the HNB system is required to provide emergency services tothe UE irrespective of whether the UE is permitted access to services ofthe HNB system when the UE operates within a service region of the HNBsystem. Accordingly, some embodiments provide methods and systems toprovide emergency services to unauthorized UEs requesting emergencyservices through the HNB system.

The following scenario illustrates origination of an emergency call froma UE which has been rejected by the HNB (e.g., due to HNB's accesscontrol policy). This scenario also assumes that there is no othersuitable cell available for the UE to camp on for normal service asdefined in 3GPP technical specification TS 25.304 entitled “UserEquipment (UE) procedures in idle mode and procedures for cellreselection in connected mode”, herein incorporated by reference. Hence,the UE is camped on the HNB for limited services. FIG. 55 illustrates anemergency call routing over HNB of an unauthorized UE using service areaprocedure, in some embodiments. This figure includes HNB 5505; UE 5510;HNB-GW 5515; MSC 5520; and PSAP 5525.

The user originates (at step 1) an emergency call using the UE 5510camped on the HNB 5505 for limited service only (e.g., due to rejectionfrom the HNB 5505 based on access control policy). The UE 5510establishes (at step 2) an RRC connection with the HNB 5505 indicatingan establishment cause of emergency call. Upon request from the upperlayers, the UE 5510 sends (at step 3) the CM Service Request (with CMService Type set to “Emergency Call Establishment”) to the HNB 5505.

When the CM Service Request is performed using the TMSI, the HNB 5505retrieves (at steps 4 a-b) the permanent identity of the UE 5510 usingMM procedures. In some embodiments, the HNB 5505 performs local accesscontrol and consults the local policy for emergency calls beforeallowing an incoming request for emergency call from the unauthorizedUE. In some embodiments, the HNB may be configured with policy to allowemergency calls without access control check and, as a result, the HNBmay not retrieve the permanent identity of the UE 5510 using MMprocedures as shown in steps 4 a-b.

In order to provide emergency services to the unauthorized UE 5510, theHNB 5505 attempts (at step 5) a UE registration towards the HNB-GW 5515.The HNB 5505 includes the necessary attributes as specified in thesubsection above entitled UE Registration. Additionally, the HNB 5505signals an emergency call registration via the Registration IndicatorIE. The purpose of the emergency indicator is to assist the network inperforming network based access control for unauthorized UEs.Specifically, the Registration Indicator IE notifies the HNB-GW 5515that the UE 5510 requires limited service (i.e., emergency service). TheHNB-GW 5515 checks (at step 6) to see if an unauthorized UE is allowedHNB access for emergency calls using the specific HNB 5505. When theHNB-GW 5515 accepts the registration attempt, it responds with a HNBAPREGISTER ACCEPT including attributes such as the UE Context Id, etc.

The HNB 5505 forwards (at step 7) the CM Service Request within RUAencapsulated RANAP Initial UE message. In some embodiments, this RUAmessage can be the RUA Connect message thus indicating to the HNB-GW theinitial message for that particular UE signaling. The RUA header alsocarries additional information such as the cause indicating an emergencycall, which allows the HNB-GW 5515 to allocate appropriate resources foremergency call setup without needing to decode the encapsulated RANAPmessage.

The HNB-GW 5515 establishes (at step 8) an SCCP connection to the MSC5520 and forwards the CM Service Request to the MSC 5520 using the RANAPInitial UE Message. This initial message contains information about theservice area identity (SAI) assigned to the specific HNB 5505 over whichthe emergency call was initiated. The MSC 5520, HNB-GW 5515, HNB 5505and UE 5510 continue (at step 9) call establishment signaling. The MSC5520 determines (at step 10) the serving PSAP 5525 based on the servicearea of the calling UE and routes the emergency call to the appropriatePSAP. Additional signal messages are exchanged (at step 11) between theUE 5510 and the PSAP 5525 and the emergency call is established betweenthe UE 5510 and the appropriate serving PSAP 5525.

Upon completion of the emergency call from the unauthorized UE, the HNBderegisters the UE from the HNB-GW. In some embodiments, the HNB or theHNB-GW may choose to implement timer based deregistration upon emergencycall termination, to allow call-back to the unauthorized UE foremergency purposes.

B. Location Based Routing

In some embodiments, the HNB service area is not split into multipleservice areas. Accordingly, some embodiments provide an alternativemethod for performing emergency calling. Routing by position is definedin the 3GPP technical specification TS 23.271 (v6.10.0) entitled“Location Services (LCS); Functional description; Stage 2” which isincorporated herein by reference. Routing by position is also known as“location based routing” or “X/Y routing.”

With routing by position, rather than making the PSAP routing decisionbased on HNB service areas (which might span multiple PSAP servingareas), the MSC does an immediate position request to HNB-GW. The MSCthen selects the PSAP based on the received location information (suchas latitude/longitude). Location based routing is not HNB-specific.Location based routing is also an issue in UMTS where macro networkservice areas can span multiple PSAP serving areas. Sincelatitude/longitude can also be available in the HNB-GW (e.g., retrievedfrom the subscriber database during HNB registration), little delay isadded by doing the position request and the position returned is asaccurate as is available. Using routing by location eliminates the needto split HNB coverage areas into multiple HNB service areas based onPSAP routing requirements.

1. Location Based Emergency Call Routing

FIG. 56 illustrates a location based emergency call routing over HNBprocedure, in some embodiments. This figure includes HNB 5605, UE 5610,HNB-GW 5615, MSC 5620, and PSAP 5625.

As shown, steps 1-6 are the same as the service area based routingscenario as described with reference to FIG. 54 above. The MSC 5620determines (at step 7) that the serving area of the UE 5610 serves anarea that contains portions of multiple emergency services zones.Therefore, the MSC 5620 delays call setup and initiates procedures toobtain the UE's location for routing the emergency call to the PSAP5625. The MSC 5620 issues a location request of the UE 5610 using theRANAP Location Reporting Control message to the HNB-GW 5615. Thismessage includes the type of location information requested, the UE'slocation capabilities and a QoS with low delay and low horizontalaccuracy.

The HNB-GW 5615 relays (at step 8) the RANAP Location Reporting Controlmessage to the HNB 5605 encapsulated in the RUA header. The HNB 5605sends (at step 9) back the UE location with RUA encapsulated RANAPLocation Report message to the HNB-GW 5615. The HNB-GW 5615 forwards (atstep 10) the RANAP Location Report message to the MSC 5620. Alternately,instead of step 8-10, the HNB-GW 5615 retrieves the UE Locationinformation from the stored HNB information (using either informationprovided by the HNB 5605 during registration or retrieved fromsubscriber database) and responds with the latitude and longitude in theRANAP Location Report message back to the MSC 5620.

The MSC 5620 determines (at step 11) the serving PSAP (here, the PSAP5625) based on the location information of the UE 5610 and routes theemergency call to the appropriate PSAP. In some embodiments, additionalnetwork elements such as GMLC, S/R may be involved in mapping thelocation information and routing the emergency call to the appropriatePSAP. Additional signal messages are exchanged (at step 12) between theUE 5610 and the PSAP 5625 and the emergency call is established betweenthe UE 5610 and the PSAP 5625.

VIII. LAWFULLY AUTHORIZED ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE (LAES)

The J-STD-025 standard defines the means to access communications as anintercept access service for the purposes of lawfully authorizedelectronic surveillance (LAES). The services fall into three categories:(1) non-call associated services to provide information about interceptsubjects that is not necessarily related to a call, (2) call associatedservices to provide call-identifying information about calls involvingthe intercept subjects, and (3) content surveillance services to provideaccess to an intercept subject's communications. Since LAES is providedby core network functions, neither the UTRAN nor the HNB are impacted;therefore, there are no HNB-specific LAES requirements on the HNB-GW andHNB.

IX. HNB SECURITY

FIG. 57 illustrates HNB security mechanisms, in some embodiments. Thisfigure includes HNB 5705, UE 5710, HNB-GW 5715, MSC/VLR or SGSN 5720,application server 5725, and security gateway (SeGW) 5730.

As shown, the security mechanisms are as follows: (1) the securitymechanisms over the Iuh interface protect signaling, voice and datatraffic flows between the HNB 5705 and the HNB-GW-SeGW 5715-5730 fromunauthorized use, data manipulation, and eavesdropping (i.e.,authentication, encryption, and data integrity mechanisms aresupported), (2) authentication of the subscriber by the core networkoccurs between the MSC/VLR or SGSN 5720 and the UE 5710 and istransparent to the HNB-GW 5715, (3) the air interface between the UE5710 and the HNB 5705 is protected via encryption (optional) andintegrity checks, and (4) additional application level securitymechanisms may be employed in the PS domain to secure the end-to-endcommunication between the UE 5710 and the application server 5725. Forexample, the UE 5710 runs the HTTP protocol over an SSL session forsecure web access.

All signaling traffic and user-plane traffic sent between HNB and HNB-GWover the Iuh interface is protected by an IPSec tunnel between the HNBand HNB-GW-SEGW, that provides mutual authentication (for example, using(U)SIM credentials), encryption, and data integrity using similarmechanisms as specified in the 3GPP technical specification TS 33.234entitled “3 G security; Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interworkingsecurity” which is incorporated herein by reference.

A. Security Mode Control

FIG. 58 illustrates message flow for security mode control over HNB, insome embodiments. This figure includes HNB 5805, UE 5810, HNB-GW 5815,and VLR/SGSN (CN) 5820. As shown, the CN 5820 and the UE 5810 perform(at step 1) mutual authentication using AKA procedures. In someembodiments, the CN authentication is initiated by the CN 5820 as aresult of the CN processing an initial L3 message from the UE 5810.

Upon successful authentication, the CN 5820 sends (at step 2) RANAPSecurity Mode Command message to the HNB-GW 5815. This message containsthe encryption and the integrity keys, and also the encryption andintegrity algorithms to be used for ciphering. The HNB-GW 5815 forwards(at step 3) the RUA encapsulated RANAP Security Mode Command message tothe HNB 5805.

The HNB 5805 stores (at step 4) the ciphering keys and algorithm for theUE 5810. In some embodiments, the HNB 5805 should ensure that these keysare not accessible to 3^(rd) party applications or any other module onthe HNB 5805. Additionally, these keys should not be stored on anypersistent storage. The HNB 5805 generates (at step 5) a random number(FRESH) and computes the downlink MAC using the Ik and integrityalgorithms and sends the Security Mode command to the UE 5810 along withthe computed MAC-I and the FRESH. The UE 5810 computes (at step 6) theMAC locally (XMAC-I) and verifies that the received downlink MAC-I issame. The downlink integrity check is started from this message onwards.

Upon successful verification of the MAC, the UE 5810 responds (at step7) back with the Security Mode Complete command and also sends the MAC-Ifor the uplink. The HNB 5805 computes (at step 8) XMAC-I for the uplinkmessage and verifies the received MAC-I is same as that of computedXMAC-I. The uplink integrity check is started from this message onwards.Upon successful verification of the uplink MAC, the HNB 5805 sends (atstep 9) the RUA encapsulated RANAP Security Mode Complete message to theHNB-GW 5815. The HNB-GW 5815 relays (at step 10) the Security ModeComplete command to the CN 5820 via corresponding RANAP message.

B. Core Network Authentication

The core network AKA based authentication provides mutual authenticationbetween the user and the network. The AKA procedure is also used togenerate the ciphering keys (encryption and integrity) which in turnprovide confidentiality and integrity protection of signaling and userdata. The basis of mutual authentication mechanism is the master key K(permanent secret with a length of 128 bits) that is shared between theUSIM of the user and home network database. The ciphering keys Ck and Ikare derived from this master key K. This section describes the AKAprocedure used for mutual authentication.

FIG. 59 illustrates a CN AKA authentication over HNB procedure, in someembodiments. This figure includes HNB 5905, UE 5910, HNB-GW 5915,VLR/SGSN (CN) 5920, and Home Environment (HE)/HLR 5925.

As shown, when the UE 5905 camps on the HNB Access Point, it willinitiate (at step 1) a Location Update Request towards the CN 5920. TheHNB-GW 5915 will forward (at step 2) the Location Update request in aRANAP message to the VLR/SGSN 5920. This triggers (at step 3) theauthentication procedure in the VLR/SGSN 5920 and it will send anauthentication data request MAP message to the Authentication Center(AuC) in the Home Environment (HE) 5925. The AuC contains the masterkeys of the UEs and based on the IMSI, the AuC will generate (at step 4)the authentication vectors for the UE 5910. The vector list is sent backto the VLR/SGSN 5920 in the authentication data response MAP message.

The VLR/SGSN 5920 selects (at step 5) one authentication vector from thelist (only 1 vector is needed for each run of the authenticationprocedure). The VLR/SGSN 5920 sends (at step 6) user authenticationrequest (AUTREQ) message to the HNB-GW 5915. This message also containstwo parameters RAND and AUTN (from the selected authentication vector).The HNB-GW 5915 relays (at step 7) the AUTREQ message to the HNB 5905 ina RUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer message. The HNB 5905 forwards(at step 8) the AUTREQ to the UE 5910 over the air interface.

The USIM on the UE 5910 contains (at step 9) the master key K and usingit with the parameters RAND and AUTN as inputs, the USIM carries outcomputation resembling generation of authentication vectors in the AuC.From the generated output, the USIM verifies if the AUTN was generatedby the right AuC. The USIM computation also generates (at step 10) a RESwhich is sent towards the CN 5920 in an authentication response messageto the CN 5920.

The HNB 5905 forwards (at step 11) the Authentication Response to theHNB-GW 5915 in a RUA encapsulated RANAP Direct Transfer message. TheHNB-GW 5915 will relay (at step 12) the response along with the RESparameter in a RANAP message to the CN 5920. The VLR/SGSN 5920 verifies(at step 13) the UE response RES with the expected response XRES (whichis part of authentication vector). If there is a match, authenticationis successful. The CN 5920 may then initiate (at step 14) a SecurityMode procedure to distribute the ciphering keys to the HNB-GW 5915.

X. HNB SERVICE ACCESS CONTROL (SAC)

The objective of HNB service access control is to provide operators withthe tools to properly implement their HNB service plans based onreal-time information from the subscriber and non real-time informationprovisioned within the operator's IT systems and service databases.Using service policies, the operator can implement a range of creativeservices and controls to be applied on a per individual subscriberbasis, which results in the acceptance or rejection of any discrete HNBsession registration request. Primarily, service policies are used toidentify whether a subscriber's current request for access meets theconditions of the service plan to which they are subscribed.

For the purposes of this document, we consider that HNB SAC encompassesthe discovery, registration and redirection functions as well asenhanced service access control functions, such as restricting HNBservice access based on the reported neighboring macro networkUTRAN/GERAN cell information. Note: a local access control may beperformed by the HNB for performance reasons (example: HNB may use localservice access control for faster rejection of UEs which are not allowedaccess to either HNB services or not allowed access to HNB services viathe specific HNB).

A. HNB-GW and Service Area Selection

The HNB-GW selection processes include HNB-GW selection and HNB servicearea selection. HNB-GW Selection serves the following functions: (1) itallows an HNB-GW functioning as a “provisioning HNB-GW” to direct amobile station to its designated “default HNB-GW”, (2) it allows anHNB-GW functioning as a “default HNB-GW” to direct a mobile station toan appropriate “serving HNB-GW” (e.g., in case the HNB is outside itsnormal default HNB-GW coverage area), and (3) it allows the HNB-GW todetermine if the UTRAN/GERAN coverage area is HNB-restricted and, if so,to deny service.

HNB Service Area Selection serves the following functions: it allows anHNB-GW functioning as a “default or serving HNB-GW” to assign the HNBservice area associated with the HNB registration (and all the UEscamped on that specific HNB). The service area can then be utilized foremergency call routing as described above in the subsection entitledService Area Based Routing.

B. Service Access Control Use Case Examples

The following example service access control use cases are described inthis section: (1) New HNB connects to the HNB-GW; (2) the HNB connectsto the HNB-GW network (redirected connection); (3) the HNB attempts toconnect in a restricted UMTS coverage area; (4) Authorized UE roves intoan authorized HNB for HNB service; and (5) Unauthorized UE roves into anauthorized HNB for HNB service.

1. New HNB Connects to the HNB-GW

FIG. 60 illustrates the SAC for a new HNB connecting to the HNB network,in some embodiments. This figure includes HNB 6005, public DNS 6010,SeGW #1 (provisioning SeGW) 6015, private DNS 6020, (provisioning)HNB-GW #1 6025, and (default/serving) HNB-GW #2 6030.

As shown, if the HNB 6005 has a provisioned FQDN of the ProvisioningSeGW 6015, it performs (at step 1) a DNS query (via the generic IPaccess network interface) to resolve the FQDN to an IP address. If theHNB 6005 has a provisioned IP address for the Provisioning SeGW 6015,the DNS step is omitted. The DNS Server 6010 returns (at step 2) aresponse including the IP Address of the Provisioning SeGW 6015. The HNB6005 establishes (at step 3) a secure tunnel to the Provisioning SeGW6015 using IKEv2 and EAP-AKA or EAP-SIM.

If the HNB 6005 has a provisioned FQDN of the Provisioning HNB-GW 6025,it performs (at step 4) a DNS query (via the secure tunnel) to resolvethe FQDN to an IP address. If the HNB 6005 has a provisioned IP addressfor the Provisioning HNB-GW 6025, the DNS step will be omitted. The DNSServer 6020 returns (at step 5) a response including the IP Address ofthe Provisioning HNB-GW 6025. The HNB 6005 sets up (at step 6) a SCTPconnection to a well-defined port on the Provisioning HNB-GW 6025. TheHNB 6005 then queries (at step 7) the Provisioning HNB-GW 6025 for theDefault/Serving HNB-GW 6030, using HNBAP DISCOVERY REQUEST. Theprovisioning HNB-GW 6025 optionally performs (at step 8) an accesscontrol for the HNB 6005 using information such as HNB Identity andreported macro coverage information.

If the access is allowed, then the provisioning HNB-GW 6025 determines(at step 9) the default/serving HNB-GW (here, HNB-GW #2 6030) using theHNB-GW selection function. This is done so the HNB is directed to a“local” Default HNB-GW in the HPLMN to optimize network performance. TheProvisioning HNB-GW 6025 returns (at step 10) the default/serving HNB-GW6030 information in the HNBAP DISCOVERY ACCEPT message. The DISCOVERYACCEPT message also indicates whether the HNB-GW and SEGW addressprovided shall or shall not be stored by the HNB.

The HNB 6005 releases (at step 11) the SCTP connection and IPSec tunneland proceeds to register on HNB-GW #2 6030. The HNB 6005 performs (atstep 12) a private DNS query using the assigned Default HNB-GW FQDN. Theprivate DNS server 6020 returns (at step 13) the IP address of HNB-GW #26030. The HNB 6005 establishes (at step 14) an SCTP connection to HNB-GW#2 6030. The HNB 6005 sends (at step 15) an HNBAP REGISTER REQUESTmessage to the default/serving HNB-GW 6030. The default/serving HNB-GW6030 performs (at step 16) an access control for the HNB 6005 forexample, using information such as HNB Identity and reported macrocoverage information.

If access is allowed, then the default/serving HNB-GW 6030 determines(at step 17) that it is the correct serving HNB-GW for the mobilecurrent location using the HNB-GW selection function. It also determinesthe HNB service area to associate with the HNB 6005 using the SAIselection functions. The default/serving HNB-GW 6030 returns a HNBAPREGISTER ACCEPT message to the HNB 6005.

2. The HNB Connects to the HNB-GW (Redirected Connection)

FIG. 61 illustrates the SAC for an HNB getting redirected in HNBnetwork, in some embodiments. This figure includes HNB 6105, public DNS6110, SeGW (#1) 6115, private DNS 6120, and HNB-GW (#2) 6125.

As shown, steps 1-8 are the same as described with reference to FIG. 60.The HNB-GW 6125 uses (at step 9) the HNB-GW selection function todetermine that the HNB 6105 should be served by another HNB-GW. TheHNB-GW 6125 sends (at step 10) the new serving SEGW and HNB-GW FQDNs tothe HNB 6105 in the HNBAP REGISTER REDIRECT message. In someembodiments, the HNB-GW sends the HNBAP REGISTER REJECT message, whichallows the HNB to select a different HNB-GW (using pre-provisionedinformation from the HNB management system) for registration thusproviding equivalent redirection functionality. The HNB 6105 releases(at step 11) the SCTP connection and IPSec tunnel and proceeds toregister with the designated HNB-GW 6125.

3. The HNB Attempts to Connect in a Restricted Macro Coverage Area

FIG. 62 illustrates the SAC for an HNB registering in a restricted UMTScoverage area, in some embodiments. This figure includes HNB 6205,public DNS 6210, SeGW (#1) 6215, private DNS 6220, and HNB-GW (#2) 6225.

As shown, steps 1-8 are the same as described with reference to FIG. 60.The HNB-GW 6225 uses (at step 9) the HNB-GW selection function todetermine that the HNB 6205 is in an UMTS area that is HNB restricted(i.e., HNB access is not allowed in the area). The HNB-GW 6225 sends (atstep 10) a HNBAP REGISTER REJECT message to the HNB 6205, including areject cause (for example, “Location not allowed”). The HNB 6205releases (at step 11) the SCTP connection and IPSec tunnel and does notattempt to register again from the same macro coverage area untilpowered-off.

4. Authorized UE Roves into an Authorized HNB for HNB Service

The sequence of events is same as described with reference to thesubsection entitled UE Registration.

5. Unauthorized UE Roves into an Authorized HNB for HNB Service

An unauthorized UE (unauthorized for HNB service over the specific HNB),upon camping on the HNB (via its internal cell selection mechanism),will send an initial NAS layer message (for example, the Location Updatemessage) towards the CN via the HNB (the LU is triggered since the HNBbroadcasts a distinct LAI than its neighboring macro cells and otherneighboring HNBs). The HNB will intercept the Location Update messageand attempt to register the UE with the HNB-GW as described below.

FIG. 63 illustrates the SAC for an unauthorized UE accessing anauthorized HNB, in some embodiments. Here, the UE 6310 establishes (atstep 1 a) an RRC connection with the HNB 6305 on which it camps. The UE6310 starts a Location Update procedure towards the CN (not shown). TheHNB 6305 will intercept the Location Update request and attempts toregister the UE 6310 with the associated Serving HNB-GW over theexisting IPSEC tunnel. Optionally, the HNB 6305 may request (at step 1b) the IMSI of the UE 6310 if the Location Update is done using theTMSI, since the initial registration for the UE 6310 must be done usingthe permanent identity (i.e., the IMSI of the UE 6310). In someembodiments, the HNB 6305 optionally performs (at steps 1 c-d) localaccess control for faster rejection of those UEs not authorized toaccess the particular HNB 6305 (the exact rejection mechanism is left asHNB implementation specific). As a result, if the HNB performs localaccess control, then unauthorized UEs may not be attempted to beregistered with the HNB-GW 6315 and the following steps can be skipped.

When the UE 6310 is not rejected locally by the HNB 6305, the HNB 6305attempts to register (at step 2) the UE 6310 on the HNB-GW 6315 bytransmitting the HNBAP REGISTER REQUEST. The HNB 6305 uses the same SCTPconnection for the UE 6310 as that used for HNB registration to adestination SCTP port on the HNB-GW 6315.

The access control logic on the HNB-GW 6315 would also check (at step 3)to see if the UE 6310 is allowed HNB access using the specific HNB 6305.The HNB-GW SAC logic indicates that the registering UE 6310 is notauthorized to access HNB service over the specific HNB 6305. The HNB-GW6315 responds with a HNBAP REGISTER REJECT message to the HNB 6305indicating the reject cause.

The HNB 6305 in turn utilizes (at step 4) an implementation specificrejection mechanism to reject the UE 6310. For example, the HNB 6305 maysend a Location Updating Reject to the UE 6310 with cause of “LocationArea Not Allowed”. This will prevent the UE 6310 from attempting to campon the specific HNB 6305 again. In some embodiments, the use of“Location Area Not Allowed” is an example mechanism for rejection of anunauthorized UE. Other mechanisms may also be used and is left as HNBimplementation specific.

XI. IMPACTS OF VARIOUS ACCESS CONTROL POLICIES

Access control (i.e., only certain pre-authorized users are allowed toaccess particular 3 G HNB) is one of the key functional requirements forthe deployments of 3 G HNB. The requirements from SA1 state that“Mechanisms shall be specified for a HNB to control access (i.e., acceptand reject connection requests) of pre-Release 8 UEs”. This sectionattempts to analyze the fundamental questions on when to perform accesscontrol in the 3 G HNB Access Network.

With Release 8, CSG-enabled UEs, the UE will only attempt to select CSGcells which are listed in the UE's CSG cell white-list. The UE will notuse CSG cells for either idle mode cell reselection or active moderelocation into the CSG cell. Since pre-Release 8 UEs are also expectedto be supported by the HNB Access Network, the HNB Access Network shouldmirror the same end-user experience for pre-Release 8 UEs as forCSG-enabled UEs.

For pre-Release 8 UEs, it is not possible for the UE to autonomouslyrecognize CSG cells and avoid using them. Pre-Release 8 UEs performslegacy cell reselection and relocation procedures whenever it detects aneighbor HNB cell. It is necessary for the 3 G HNB Access Network toeither accept the UE or reject the UE using a legacy control proceduresupported by the legacy UE. In some embodiments, the need to supportactive mode mobility from macro cell to 3 G HNB is for further study asare the access control policies for such a scenario.

The following options are envisioned regarding when an access controlcould be performed. (1) Access control by mobility management signaling,where the access control is performed when the UE re-selects aparticular 3 G HNB cell. This approach does not allow the UE to campnormally without successful access control. (2) Access control byredirection and handover, where the access control is performed when theUE requests actual data transmission from a particular 3 G HNB. Thisapproach allows the UE to camp normally on 3 G HNB without accesscontrol even if the UE is not authorized for that specific 3 G HNB.

The following section provides further analysis on the significantdrawbacks of the 2^(nd) mechanism where the UE is allowed to campnormally without access control upon cell re-selection.

A. Increased Signaling Load on the Core Network During Idle ModeMobility

It is possible, and likely the norm rather than a corner case, thatmobility pattern of a particular UE will appear as “3 G HNB->Macro->3 GHNB (either same or different 3 G HNB)” or “Macro->3 G HNB”. As a resultof such mobility patterns, the signaling load on the core network willincrease significantly due to the fact the location area updates fromeven unauthorized UEs must be relayed to the CN (assuming that the macroand 3 G HNB have different location areas).

B. Increased Signaling Load and Setup Times During Service Initiationfrom UE

Access control using the mechanisms of redirection and handover resultsin increased setup times or increased signaling (due to additionalhandover signaling).

C. Service Impact Via Erroneous HNB Coverage Indication

The UE upon cell re-selection of a particular 3 G HNB would display HNBcoverage indicator. In cases where the UE is unauthorized to access aparticular 3 G HNB, this would result in the following severely degradedservice impacts to the subscriber.

In case of lacking overlapping macro coverage, it is not possible toemploy the redirection and handover mechanism for data serviceinitiation. As a result, any service initiation from unauthorized UEsmust now be denied at the particular 3 G HNB and thus resulting in anundesirable user experience (i.e., indicating valid coverage but denyingservice).

In case of overlapping macro coverage, redirection and handover to macrocell upon service initiation, one would need to address the chargingrequirements. If macro is used as a basis, then this would again resultin undesired user experience where HNB coverage is indicated to the userbut charging is done on a macro basis.

In case of overlapping macro coverage, it is possible that redirectionand handover to macro cell upon service initiation is not successful(due to various reasons at the target macro cell), thus resulting infailure of the service request. These failed data service requests wouldresult in undesired user experience.

D. Ping-Pong Behavior and the Resulting Signaling Load

Due to redirection and handover to the macro cell for the actual datatransmission service of unauthorized UEs from a particular 3 G HNB, theUE will likely select the macro cell for camping upon completion of thatparticular service (i.e., upon moving from connected to idle mode). Thiswould also result in the UE performing an initial NAS message, such as alocation area update message, via the macro network. Additionally, it ispossible for the UE to again select the same 3 G HNB (from which it wasredirected for data service) and trigger additional LU via thatparticular 3 G HNB. As a result of this ping-pong behavior between themacro and 3 G HNB for unauthorized UEs, significant signaling load wouldbe generated towards the CN.

It can be concluded from the above scenarios that there are significantdrawbacks in allowing unauthorized UEs to camp without access controland as a result it would be recommended to reject unauthorized UEs uponinitial cell re-selection to the HNB.

XII. COMPUTER SYSTEM

Many of the above-described protocol stacks are implemented as softwareprocesses that are specified as a set of instructions recorded on acomputer readable storage medium (also referred to as computer readablemedium). When these instructions are executed by one or morecomputational element(s) (such as processors or other computationalelements like ASICs and FPGAs), they cause the computational element(s)to perform the actions indicated in the instructions. Computer is meantin its broadest sense, and can include any electronic device with aprocessor (e.g., HNB and HNB-GW). Examples of computer readable mediainclude, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, RAM chips, harddrives, EPROMs, etc. The computer readable media does not includecarrier waves and electronic signals passing wirelessly or over wiredconnections.

In this specification, the term “software” is meant in its broadestsense. It can include firmware residing in read-only memory orapplications stored in magnetic storage which can be read into memoryfor processing by a processor. Also, in some embodiments, multiplesoftware inventions can be implemented as sub-parts of a larger programwhile remaining distinct software inventions. In some embodiments,multiple software inventions can also be implemented as separateprograms. Finally, any combination of separate programs that togetherimplement a software invention described here is within the scope of theinvention. In some embodiments, the software programs when installed tooperate on one or more computer systems define one or more specificmachine implementations that execute and perform the operations of thesoftware programs.

FIG. 64 conceptually illustrates a computer system with which someembodiments of the invention are implemented. The computer system 6400includes a bus 6405, a processor 6410, a system memory 6415, a read-onlymemory 6420, a permanent storage device 6425, input devices 6430, andoutput devices 6435.

The bus 6405 collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipsetbuses that support communication among internal devices of the computersystem 6400. For instance, the bus 6405 communicatively connects theprocessor 6410 with the read-only memory 6420, the system memory 6415,and the permanent storage device 6425.

From these various memory units, the processor 6410 retrievesinstructions to execute and data to process in order to execute theprocesses of the invention. In some embodiments the processor comprisesa Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an ASIC, or various otherelectronic components for executing instructions. The read-only-memory(ROM) 6420 stores static data and instructions that are needed by theprocessor 6410 and other modules of the computer system. The permanentstorage device 6425, on the other hand, is a read-and-write memorydevice. This device is a non-volatile memory unit that storesinstruction and data even when the computer system 6400 is off. Someembodiments of the invention use a mass-storage device (such as amagnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) as thepermanent storage device 6425. Some embodiments use one or moreremovable storage devices (flash memory card or memory stick) as thepermanent storage device.

Like the permanent storage device 6425, the system memory 6415 is aread-and-write memory device. However, unlike storage device 6425, thesystem memory is a volatile read-and-write memory, such as a randomaccess memory. The system memory stores some of the instructions anddata that the processor needs at runtime.

Instructions and/or data needed to perform processes of some embodimentsare stored in the system memory 6415, the permanent storage device 6425,the read-only memory 6420, or any combination of the three. For example,the various memory units include instructions for processing multimediaitems in accordance with some embodiments. From these various memoryunits, the processor 6410 retrieves instructions to execute and data toprocess in order to execute the processes of some embodiments.

The bus 6405 also connects to the input and output devices 6430 and6435. The input devices enable the user to communicate information andselect commands to the computer system. The input devices 6430 includealphanumeric keyboards and cursor-controllers. The output devices 6435display images generated by the computer system. The output devicesinclude printers and display devices, such as cathode ray tubes (CRT) orliquid crystal displays (LCD). Finally, as shown in FIG. 64, bus 6405also couples computer 6400 to a network 6465 through a network adapter(not shown). In this manner, the computer can be a part of a network ofcomputers (such as a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network(“WAN”), or an Intranet) or a network of networks (such as theInternet).

Any or all of the components of computer system 6400 may be used inconjunction with the invention. For instance, some or all components ofthe computer system described with regards to FIG. 64 comprise someembodiments of the UE, HNB, HNB-GW, and SGSN described above. However,one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any other systemconfiguration may also be used in conjunction with the invention orcomponents of the invention.

Some embodiments include electronic components, such as microprocessors,storage and memory that store computer program instructions in amachine-readable or computer-readable medium (alternatively referred toas computer-readable storage media, machine-readable media, ormachine-readable storage media). Some examples of such computer-readablemedia include RAM, ROM, read-only compact discs (CD-ROM), recordablecompact discs (CD-R), rewritable compact discs (CD-RW), read-onlydigital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM, dual-layer DVD-ROM), a varietyof recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g., DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.),flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SD cards, micro-SD cards, etc.),magnetic and/or solid state hard drives, read-only and recordableblu-ray discs, ultra density optical discs, any other optical ormagnetic media, and floppy disks. The computer-readable media may storea computer program that is executable by at least one processor andincludes sets of instructions for performing various operations.Examples of hardware devices configured to store and execute sets ofinstructions include, but are not limited to application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA),programmable logic devices (PLDs), ROM, and RAM devices. Examples ofcomputer programs or computer code include machine code, such asproduced by a compiler, and files including higher-level code that areexecuted by a computer, an electronic component, or a microprocessorusing an interpreter.

As used in this specification and any claims of this application, theterms “computer”, “server”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer toelectronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people orgroups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the termsdisplay or displaying means displaying on an electronic device. As usedin this specification and any claims of this application, the terms“computer readable medium” and “computer readable media” are entirelyrestricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in aform that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude any wirelesssignals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals.

Many of the above figures illustrate a single access point (e.g., HNB205) communicatively coupled to a network controller (e.g., HNB-GW 215).However, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe network controller (e.g., HNB-GW 215) of some embodiments iscommunicatively coupled to several HNBs and the network controllercommunicatively couples all such HNBs to the core network. The figuresmerely illustrate a single HNB communicatively coupled to the HNB-GW forpurposes of simplifying the discussion to interactions between a singleaccess point and a single network controller. However, the same networkcontroller of some embodiments may have several of the same interactionswith several different access points.

Additionally, many of the above figures illustrate the access point tobe a HNB and the network controller to be a HNB-GW. These terms are usedto provide a specific implementation for the various procedures,messages, and protocols described within some of the embodimentsdescribed with reference to the figures. However, it should be apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art that the procedures, messages, andprotocols may be used with other communication systems and the HNBsystem was provided for exemplary purposes. For example, suchprocedures, messages, and protocols may be adapted to function with aFemtocell cell system that includes Femtocell access points and aFemtocell network controller (e.g., Generic Access Network Controller).

Similarly, many of the messages and protocol stacks were described withreference to particular HNB-AN functionality such as control planefunctionality or user plane functionality. However, it should beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that such functionality mayapply across multiple HNB-AN functions or may apply to a differentHNB-AN function altogether. Moreover, it should be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that the above described messaging may includeadditional or alternative information elements to those enumeratedabove.

While the invention has been described with reference to numerousspecific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthe invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the artwould understand that the invention is not to be limited by theforegoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by theappended claims.

XIII. ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS A. Abbreviations 3^(rd) GenerationPartnership Project 3GPP Authorization, Authentication, and AccountingAAA ATM Adaption Layer 2 AAL2 Access Control List ACL AdvancedEncryption Standard AES Authentication and Key Agreement AKAAuthentication Header AH Access Link Control Application Part ALCAPAutomatic Location Identification ALI Access Network AN Automatic NumberIdentification ANI Advice of Charge AoC Access Point AP Access PointName APN Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number ARFCN Abstract SyntaxNotation 1 ASN.1 Asynchronous Transfer Mode ATM Authentication CenterAuC

AUTREQ parameter AUTN

User Authentication Request AUTREQ Base Station BS Base Station SystemBSS Base Transceiver Station BTS Conditional C Call Barring CB CellBroadcast Center CBC Cipher Block Chaining CBC Call Control CC ContextCreate Acknowledgment CCACK Completion of Calls to Busy Subscriber CCBSContext Create Request CCREQ Charging Data Record CDR Cell GlobalIdentification CGI Calling Party Number CgPN Call Hold CH Cipher Key CkCalling Line Identification Presentation CLIP Calling LineIdentification Restriction CLIR Call Management CM

Connection Manager sublayer CM-sub

Cable Modem Termination System CMTS Core Network CN Connected LineIdentification Presentation CoLP Connected Line IdentificationRestriction CoLR Customer Premise Equipment CPE Cyclic Redundancy CodeCRC Context Release Command CRCMD Context Release Complete CRCMPCoordinate Routing Database CRDB Circuit Switched CS Closed SubscriberGroup CSG

Cellular Text/Telephone Modem (from 3GPP 26.226) CTM

Closed User Group CUG Call Waiting CW Domain Name System DNS DigitalSubscriber Line DSL DSL Access Multiplexer DSLAM Direct TransferApplication Part DTAP Extensible Authentication Protocol EAP EAP ofLocal Area Networks EAPOL

Electronic Code Book (AES mode) ECB

Explicit Call Transfer ECT Emergency Location Information Delivery ELIDEnhanced Observed Time Difference E-OTD Emergency Services ES ES NumberESN ES Protocol ESP Encapsulating Security Payload ESP ES Routing DigitsESRD ES Routing Key ESRK European Telecommunications Standards InstituteETSI Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance and SecurityManagement FCAPS US Federal Communications Commission FCC FullyQualified Domain Name FQDN

A random number generated by the HNB FRESHGeneral Access Network (unlicensed mobile access) GAN

Generic Digits Parameter GDP GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network GERAN GatewayGPRS Support Node GGSN General Packet Radio Service GPRS Gateway MobileLocation Center GMLC GPRS Mobility Management and Session ManagementGMM/SM

GPRS Mobility Management sublayer GMM-subGPRS Radio Resource sublayer (GSM) GRR-sub

GPRS Support Node GSN

Global System for Mobile communications GSM

GPRS Tunneling Protocol GTP Global Text Telephony (GSM) GTT Global TitleTranslation (SS7) GTT Hierarchical Cell Selection HCS Home EnvironmentHE Home Enhanced Node B HeNB HeNB Gateway HeNB-GW Home Location RegisterHLR Hashed Message Authentication Code HMAC Home Node-B HNB HNB AccessNetwork HNB-AN HNB Application Part HNBAP HNB Gateway HNB-GW Home PLMNHPLMN Initial Address Message IAM Internet Assigned Numbers AuthorityIANA Internet Control Message Protocol ICMP Identifier ID Intra DomainNon Access Stratum (NAS) Node Selector IDDNS Internet Engineering TaskForce IETF Integrity Key Ik Internet Key Exchange Version 2 IKEv2

International Mobile station Equipment Identity IMEI

International Mobile Subscriber Identity IMSI Internet Protocol IP IPSecurity IPSec

IP version 4 IPv4IP version 6 IPv6

Integrated Services Digital Network ISDN Internet Service Provider ISPISDN User Part ISUP Initialization Vector IV Interworking FunctionalityIWF Interworking MSC IWMSC Layer 3 L3 Location Area LA Location AreaCode LAC Lawfully Authorized Electronic Surveillance LAES Location AreaIdentifier LAI Location Area Update LAU Location Service LCS

Lightweight EAP (same as EAP-Cisco) LEAP

Logical Link Control LLC

Logical Link Control sublayer LLC-sub

Local Mobile Subscriber Identity LMSI Least Significant Bit LSB LocationService Protocol LSP Location Update LU Length and Value LV Mandatory MMTP3 User Adaptation Layer M3UA Media Access Control MAC

Message Authentication Code (same as MIC) MACMAC computed at HNB with Ik MAC-I

Mobile Application Part MAP Mobile Country Code MCC Mobile DirectoryNumber MDN Mobile Equipment ME

Message Integrity Check (same as MAC) MIC

Media Gateway MGW Mobility Management MM

Mobility Management sublayer MM-sub

Mobile Network Code MNC Mobile Originated MO Mobile Positioning CenterMPC Multi-Party MPTY Mobile Station MS Most Significant Bit MSB MobileSwitching Center MSC Mobile Station International ISDN Number MSISDNMobile Station Roaming Number MSRN Mobile Terminated MT Message TransferPart Layer 1/2/3 MTP1/2/3 Message Transfer Part Level 3 for BroadbandMTP3b Network Access Identifier NAI Non Access Stratum NAS NetworkAddress Translation NAT Non Call Associated Signaling NCAS NeighborConfiguration List NCL National Destination Code NDC Network to NodeInterface NNI NAS Node Selection Function NNSF Network Service NSNetwork Service Access Point NSAP

Network layer Service Indoor Base Station

Identifier NSAPI Network Subsystem NSS Optional O

Offset Code Book (AES mode) OCB

Personal Communication Services PCS Packet Control Unit PCU Packet DataChannel PDCH Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP Position DeterminingEntity PDE Packet Data Network PDN Packet Data Protocol PDP ProtocolData Unit PDU Protected EAP PEAP Public Key Infrastructure PKI PublicLand Mobile Network PLMN Packet Mobility Management PMM Point ofInterface POI Paging Proceed Flag PPF Payload Protocol Identifier PPIPoint-to-Point Protocol PPP Packet Switched PS Public Safety AnsweringPoint PSAP Public Switched Telephone Network PSTN Point To MultipointPTM

Pseudo-ANI (either the ESRD or ESRK) p-ANI

Packet-Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity P-TMSI (or PTMSI) EitherPacket TMSI or TMSI (P)TMSI Point To Point PTP Permanent Virtual CircuitPVC Quality of Service QoS Routing Area RA Radio Access Bearer RABRouting Area Code RAC Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service RADIUSRouting Area Identifier RAI RANAP Adaptation Layer RAL Radio AccessNetwork Application Part RANAP RANAP for HNB Application RANAP-HParameter of AUTREQ RAND Routing Area Update RAU

Authentication number generated from UE RES

Radio Frequency RF Request for Comment (IETF Standard) RFC Radio LinkControl RLC Radio Network Controller RNC Iu U-Plane RNL

Radio Resource Management sublayer RR-sub

Radio Resource Control RRC Radio Resource Management RRM Robust SecurityNetwork RSN RANAP Transport Adaptation RTA Real-Time Control ProtocolRTCP Real-Time Protocol RTP RANAP User Adaptation RUA Service Area CodeSAC Service Access Control SAC Service Area Identifier SAI SystemArchitecture 1 SA1 Scrambling Code SC Skinny Call Control Protocol SCCPStream Control Transmission Protocol SCTP Standalone Dedicated ControlChannel SDCC Service Data Unit SDU Security Gateway SeGW Serving GPRSSupport Node SGSN Subscriber Identity Module SIM Service Key SK SessionManagement SM Service Mobile Location Center SMLC Short Message ServicesSMS Short Message Service Gateway MSC SMS-GMSC Short Message ServiceInterworking MSC SMS-IWMSC Short Message Application Layer SM-AL ShortMessage Control Protocol SM-CP Short Message Transfer Layer SM-TL ShortMessage Relay Layer SM-RL Short Message Relay Protocol SM-RP ShortMessage Service Center SM-SC

Short Message Control (entity) SMCShort Message Relay (entity) SMR

SubNetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol SNDCP SNDCP PDU SN-PDUSelective Router S/R Source RNC SRNC Serving Radio Network SubsystemSRNS Supplementary Service SS Signaling System 7 SS7 Service-SpecificCoordination Function SSCF Service Specific Connection Oriented ProtocolSSCOP Service Set Identifier (aka “Network Name”) SSID Secure SocketLayer SSL

Station (802.11 client) STA

Type Only T Timing Advance TA Transaction Capabilities Application PartTCAP Transmission Control Protocol TCP Time Difference of Arrival TDOATunnel Identifier TID Temporal Key Integrity Protocol TKIP TemporaryLogical Link Identity TLLI Transport Layer Security TLS Type, Length,and Value TLV Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity TMSI Time of ArrivalTOA Transcoder and Rate Adaptation Unit TRAU Traffic Selector TS TextTelephone or Teletypewriter TTY Type and Value TV UMTS Absolute RadioFrequency Channel Number UARFCN User Datagram Protocol UDP UserEquipment UE Unlicensed Mobile Access UMA Universal MobileTelecommunications System UMTS Universal Subscriber Identity Module USIMEither SIM or USIM (U)SIM Unstructured Supplementary Service Data USSDCoordinated Universal Time UTC UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access NetworkUTRAN User User Signaling UUS Value Only V Visitor Location Register VLRVisited MSC VMSC Visited Public Land Mobile Network VPLMN VirtualPrivate Network VPN Wired Equivalent Privacy WEP World Geodetic System1984 WGS-84 White-List WL Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Wi-FiProtected Access WPA Wireless Service Provider WSP World Zone 1 WZ1

Expected MAC-I calculated at UE XMAC-IExpected RES from VLR XRES

B. Definitions

Allowed CSG List: A list of CSG cells, each of which is identified by aCSG identity, allowed for a particular subscriber.Access Control: It is the mechanism of ensuring that access toparticular HNB is based on the subscription policy of the subscriber aswell as that of the HNB.Closed Subscriber Group (CSG): A list of subscribers which have accessto mobile network using a particular HNB (a.k.a HeNB or Femtocell).CSG Cell: A cell (e.g. HNB) which allows mobile network access to CSGonly. A CSG cell may broadcast a specific CSG identifier over the airinterface.CSG Identity: The identity of the CSG cell. A CSG identity may be sharedby multiple CSG cells.CSG UE: A UE which has support for CSG white-list and can autonomouslydetect and select CSG cells.E.164: A public networking addressing standardFemtocell Access Network: The Femtocell access network constitutes ofthe HNB and the HNB-GW (same as HNB access network)Legacy UE: A UE which does not have support for CSG white-list (e.g. R99or pre-release 8 UE).Operator: Licensed wireless service providerWhite-List: It is the allowed CSG list stored on the UE or in thesubscriber database record (such as in the HLR or HSS).

1. In a communication system comprising (i) a first network comprising alicensed wireless radio access network and a core network and (ii) asecond network comprising a plurality of user hosted access points forestablishing service regions of the second network using short rangelicensed wireless frequencies and a network controller forcommunicatively coupling user equipment operating in the service regionsto the core network, a method comprising: at the network controller,establishing a bearer connection between a particular access point andthe core network, wherein establishing the bearer connection comprises:(i) initiating signaling to establish an asynchronous transfer mode(ATM) based bearer connection between the network controller and thecore network, and (ii) establishing an Internet Protocol (IP) basedbearer connection between the network controller and the particularservice region; receiving a message from the particular access point forestablishing a user plane between the particular access point and thecore network; and establishing said user plane using said IP basedbearer connection between the particular access point and the networkcontroller and said ATM based bearer connection between the networkcontroller and the core network, wherein said network controller routesuser plane data received from the particular access point over the IPbased bearer connection to the core network through the ATM based bearerconnection by the network controller.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising receiving an assignment request message to initiateestablishment of the bearer connections.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the assignment request message is a Radio Access NetworkApplication Part (RANAP) message, said message further comprising an ATMAdaptation Layer2 (AAL2) binding identity.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein establishing the bearer connection further comprises receivingan establish confirm message at the network controller to acknowledgeestablishment of the ATM based bearer connection.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein initiating signaling to establish the ATM based bearerconnection comprises sending an Access Link Control Application Part(ALCAP) message from the network controller to the core network.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein initiating signaling to establish the ATMbased bearer connection further comprises receiving an ALCAP confirmmessage to confirm the successful establishment of an ATM AdaptationLayer2 (AAL2) connection between the network controller and the corenetwork.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the IP based bearerconnection transports user plane data using Voice over IP (VoIP).
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the IP based bearer connection comprises anIP address and a port number for addressing.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the particular access point is a Home Node B and the secondcommunication system is a Home Node B Access Network.
 10. In acommunication system comprising (i) a first network comprising alicensed wireless radio access network and a core network and (ii) asecond network comprising a plurality of user hosted access points forestablishing service regions of the second network using short rangelicensed wireless frequencies and a network controller forcommunicatively coupling user equipment operating in the service regionsto the core network, a method for establishing a voice bearer connectionbetween a particular access point and the core network, the methodcomprising: from the network controller, initiating signaling to thecore network based on an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) address,wherein said signaling is for establishing an ATM adaptation layer (AAL)connection with the core network; sending a bearer assignment requestmessage to a particular access point, said bearer assignment requestmessage comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address over which toestablish an IP based bearer connection with the particular accesspoint; forwarding a user plane setup message received from theparticular access point over the IP connection to the core network bymodifying said user plane setup message to include said ATM addressingfor the core network; and passing communication data received from theparticular access point over the IP connection to the core network usingthe AAL connection.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprisingreceiving a RANAP Assignment Request (RAB) message comprising said ATMaddress for initiating signaling to establish the AAL connection. 12.The method of claim 10 further comprising sending an acknowledgementmessage from the network controller to the core network to indicate thatthe establishment of the bearer connection between the UE and the corenetwork is complete.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein theacknowledgement message is a Radio Access Bearer (RAB) AssignmentResponse message.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein said bearerassignment request message is for triggering setup of Iu user planebetween the particular access point and the core network.
 15. In acommunication system comprising (i) a first network comprising alicensed wireless radio access network and a core network and (ii) asecond network comprising a plurality of user hosted access points forestablishing service regions of the second network using short rangelicensed wireless frequencies and a network controller forcommunicatively coupling user equipment operating in the service regionsto the core network, a computer readable storage medium of the networkcontroller storing a computer program, said computer program comprising:a set of instructions for establishing a bearer connection between aparticular access point and the core network, wherein the set ofinstructions for establishing the bearer connection comprises: (i) a setof instructions for initiating signaling to establish an asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM) based bearer connection between the networkcontroller and the core network, and (ii) a set of instructions forestablishing an Internet Protocol (IP) based bearer connection betweenthe network controller and the particular service region; a set ofinstructions for receiving a message from the particular access pointfor establishing a user plane between the particular access point andthe core network; and a set of instructions for establishing said userplane using said IP based bearer connection between the particularaccess point and the network controller and said ATM based bearerconnection between the network controller and the core network, whereinsaid network controller routes user plane data received from theparticular access point over the IP based bearer connection to the corenetwork through the ATM based bearer connection by the networkcontroller.
 16. In a communication system comprising (i) a first networkcomprising a licensed wireless radio access network and a core networkand (ii) a second network comprising a plurality of user hosted accesspoints for establishing service regions of the second network usingshort range licensed wireless frequencies and a network controller forcommunicatively coupling user equipment operating in the service regionsto the core network, a method for establishing a voice bearer connectionbetween a particular access point and the core network, the methodcomprising: at the particular access point, receiving a message from thenetwork controller requesting establishment of a bearer connectionbetween said particular access point and the core network; from theparticular access point, sending a message to trigger establishment ofan Internet Protocol (IP) based user plane connection with the networkcontroller, wherein said network controller uses an AsynchronousTransfer Mode (ATM) based bearer connection to communicate the corenetwork; and exchanging data with the core network through said networkcontroller.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the message requestingestablishment of the bearer connection comprises an IP address assignedby the network controller for a specific bearer connection with theparticular access point.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the messagerequesting establishment of the bearer connection further comprises aReal-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) port assigned by the networkcontroller for the specific bearer connection with the particular accesspoint.
 19. The method of claim 16 further comprising, after sending themessage to trigger establishment of the IP based user plane connection,performing radio bearer setup with a user equipment operating within theservice region of the particular access point.
 20. The method of claim16, wherein the particular access point is a Home Node B and the secondnetwork is a Home Node B Access Network.
 21. In a communication systemcomprising (i) a first network comprising a licensed wireless radioaccess network and a core network and (ii) a second network comprising aplurality of user hosted access points for establishing service regionsof the second network using short range licensed wireless frequenciesand a network controller for communicatively coupling user equipmentoperating in the service regions to the core network, a computerreadable storage medium of a particular access point, said computerprogram comprising: a set of instructions for receiving a message fromthe network controller requesting establishment of a bearer connectionbetween said particular access point and the core network; a set ofinstructions for sending a message to trigger establishment of anInternet Protocol (IP) based user plane connection with the networkcontroller, wherein said network controller uses an AsynchronousTransfer Mode (ATM) based bearer connection to communicate with the corenetwork; and a set of instructions for exchanging data with the corenetwork through said network controller.